London, Jack-The Human Drift
Transcript of London, Jack-The Human Drift
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 1/67
Thisetextwaspreparedfromthe1919MillsandBooneditionbyDavidPrice,[email protected]
THEHUMANDRIFT
byJackLondon
Contents:
TheHumanDriftSmall-BoatSailing
FourHorsesandaSailorNothingthatEverCametoAnythingThatDeadMenRiseupNeverAClassicoftheSeaAWickedWoman(CurtainRaiser)TheBirthMark(Sketch)
THEHUMANDRIFT
"TheRevelationsofDevoutandLearn'dWhorosebeforeus,andasProphetsBurn'd,Areallbutstories,which,awokefromSleep,Theytoldtheircomrades,andtoSleepreturn'd."
Thehistoryofcivilisationisahistoryofwandering,swordinhand,insearchoffood.Inthemistyyoungerworldwecatchglimpsesofphantomraces,rising,slaying,findingfood,buildingrudecivilisations,decaying,fallingundertheswordsofstrongerhands,andpassingutterlyaway.Man,likeanyotheranimal,hasrovedovertheearthseekingwhathemightdevour;andnotromance
andadventure,butthehunger-need,hasurgedhimonhisvastadventures.WhetherabankruptgentlemansailingtocoloniseVirginiaoraleanCantonesecontractingtolabouronthesugarplantationsofHawaii,ineachcase,gentlemanandcoolie,itisadesperateattempttogetsomethingtoeat,togetmoretoeatthanhecangetathome.
Ithasalwaysbeenso,fromthetimeofthefirstpre-humananthropoidcrossingamountain-divideinquestofbetterberry-bushesbeyond,downtothelatestSlovak,arrivingonourshores
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 2/67
to-day,togotoworkinthecoal-minesofPennsylvania.Thesemigratorymovementsofpeopleshavebeencalleddrifts,andthewordisapposite.Unplanned,blind,automatic,spurredonbythepainofhunger,manhasliterallydriftedhiswayaroundtheplanet.Therehavebeendriftsinthepast,innumerableandforgotten,andsoremotethatnorecordshavebeenleft,orcomposedofsuchlow-typedhumansorpre-humansthattheymadenoscratchingsonstoneorboneandleftnomonumentstoshowthattheyhadbeen.
Theseearlydriftsweconjectureandknowmusthaveoccurred,justasweknowthatthefirstupright-walkingbrutesweredescendedfromsomekinofthequadrumanathroughhavingdeveloped"apairofgreattoesoutoftwoopposablethumbs."Dominatedbyfear,andbytheirveryfearacceleratingtheirdevelopment,theseearlyancestorsofours,sufferinghunger-pangsveryliketheonesweexperienceto-day,driftedon,huntingandbeinghunted,eatingandbeingeaten,wanderingthroughthousand-year-longodysseysofscreamingprimordialsavagery,untiltheylefttheirskeletonsinglacialgravels,someofthem,andtheirbone-scratchingsincave-men'slairs.
Therehavebeendriftsfromeasttowestandwesttoeast,fromnorthtosouthandbackagain,driftsthathavecriss-crossedone
another,anddriftscollidingandrecoilingandcaromingoffinnewdirections.FromCentralEuropetheAryanshavedriftedintoAsia,andfromCentralAsiatheTuranianshavedriftedacrossEurope.Asiahasthrownforthgreatwavesofhungryhumansfromtheprehistoric"round-barrow""broad-heads"whooverranEuropeandpenetratedtoScandinaviaandEngland,downthroughthehordesofAttilaandTamerlane,tothepresentimmigrationofChineseandJapanesethatthreatensAmerica.ThePhoeniciansandtheGreeks,withunremembereddriftsbehindthem,colonisedtheMediterranean.RomewasengulfedinthetorrentofGermanictribesdriftingdownfromthenorthbeforeafloodofdriftingAsiatics.TheAngles,Saxons,andJutes,afterhavingdriftedwhencenomanknows,pouredintoBritain,andtheEnglishhavecarriedthisdrifton
aroundtheworld.Retreatingbeforestrongerbreeds,hungryandvoracious,theEskimohasdriftedtotheinhospitablepolarregions,thePigmytothefever-rottenjunglesofAfrica.Andinthisdaythedriftoftheracescontinues,whetheritbeofChineseintothePhilippinesandtheMalayPeninsula,ofEuropeanstotheUnitedStatesorofAmericanstothewheat-landsofManitobaandtheNorthwest.
PerhapsmostamazinghasbeentheSouthSeaDrift.Blind,fortuitous,precariousasnootherdrifthasbeen,neverthelesstheislandsinthatwasteofoceanhavereceiveddriftafterdriftoftheraces.DownfromthemainlandofAsiapouredanAryandriftthatbuiltcivilisationsinCeylon,Java,andSumatra.Only
themonumentsoftheseAryansremain.Theythemselveshaveperishedutterly,thoughnotuntilafterleavingevidencesoftheirdriftclearacrossthegreatSouthPacifictofarEasterIsland.Andonthatdrifttheyencounteredraceswhohadaccomplishedthedriftbeforethem,andthey,theAryans,passed,inturn,beforethedriftofotherandsubsequentraceswhomweto-daycallthePolynesianandtheMelanesian.
Manearlydiscovereddeath.Assoonashisevolutionpermitted,hemadehimselfbetterdevicesforkillingthantheoldnatural
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 3/67
onesoffangandclaw.Hedevotedhimselftotheinventionofkillingdevicesbeforehediscoveredfireormanufacturedforhimselfreligion.Andtothisday,hisfinestcreativeenergyandtechnicalskillaredevotedtothesameoldtaskofmakingbetterandeverbetterkillingweapons.Allhisdays,downallthepast,havebeenspentinkilling.Andfromthefear-stricken,jungle-lurking,cave-hauntingcreatureoflongago,hewontoemperyoverthewholeanimalworldbecausehedevelopedintothemostterribleandawfulkillerofalltheanimals.Hefoundhimselfcrowded.Hekilledtomakeroom,andashemaderoomeverheincreasedandfoundhimselfcrowded,andeverhewentonkillingtomakemoreroom.Likeasettlerclearinglandofitsweedsandforestbushesinordertoplantcorn,somanwascompelledtoclearallmanneroflifeawayinordertoplanthimself.And,swordinhand,hehasliterallyhewnhiswaythroughthevastmassesoflifethatoccupiedtheearthspacehecovetedforhimself.Andeverhehascarriedthebattlewiderandwider,untilto-daynotonlyisheafarmorecapablekillerofmenandanimalsthaneverbefore,buthehaspressedthebattlehometotheinfiniteandinvisiblehostsofmenacinglivesintheworldofmicro-organisms.
Itistrue,thattheythatrosebytheswordperishedbythesword.Andyet,notonlydidtheynotallperish,butmorerosebytheswordthanperishedbyit,elsemanwouldnotto-daybe
over-runningtheworldinsuchhugeswarms.Also,itmustnotbeforgottenthattheywhodidnotrisebythesworddidnotriseatall.Theywerenot.Inviewofthis,thereissomethingwrongwithDoctorJordan'swar-theory,whichistotheeffectthatthebestbeingsentouttowar,onlythesecondbest,themenwhoareleft,remaintobreedasecond-bestrace,andthat,therefore,thehumanracedeterioratesunderwar.Ifthisbeso,ifwehavesentforththebestwebredandgoneonbreedingfromthemenwhowereleft,andsincewehavedonethisfortenthousandmillenniumsandarewhatwesplendidlyareto-day,thenwhatunthinkablysplendidandgod-likebeingsmusthavebeenourforebearsthosetenthousandmillenniumsago!UnfortunatelyforDoctorJordan'stheory,thoseancientforebearscannotliveuptothisfine
reputation.Weknowthemforwhattheywere,andbeforethemonkeycageofanymenageriewecatchtruerglimpsesandhintsandresemblancesofwhatourancestorsreallywerelongandlongago.Andbykilling,incessantkilling,bymakingashamblesoftheplanet,thoseape-likecreatureshavedevelopedevenintoyouandme.AsHenleyhassaidin"TheSongoftheSword":
"TheSwordSinging-
Drivingthedarkness,EvenasthebannersAndspearoftheMorning;
Siftingthenations,TheSlagfromthemetal,ThewasteandtheweakFromthefitandthestrong;Fightingthebrute,TheabysmalFecundity;CheckingthegrossMultitudinousblunders,Thegroping,thepurblindExcessesinservice
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 4/67
OftheWombuniversal,Theabsolutedrudge."
Astimepassedandmanincreased,hedriftedeverfartherafieldinsearchofroom.Heencounteredotherdriftsofmen,andthekillingofmenbecameprodigious.Theweakandthedecadentfellunderthesword.Nationsthatfaltered,thatwaxedprosperousinfatvalleysandrichriverdeltas,weresweptawaybythedriftsofstrongermenwhowerenourishedonthehardshipsofdesertsandmountainsandwhoweremorecapablewiththesword.Unknownandunnumberedbillionsofmenhavebeensodestroyedinprehistorictimes.DrapersaysthatinthetwentyyearsoftheGothicwar,Italylost15,000,000ofherpopulation;"andthatthewars,famines,andpestilencesofthereignofJustiniandiminishedthehumanspeciesbythealmostincrediblenumberof100,000,000."Germany,intheThirtyYears'War,lost6,000,000inhabitants.TherecordofourownAmericanCivilWarneedscarcelyberecalled.
Andmanhasbeendestroyedinotherwaysthanbythesword.Flood,famine,pestilenceandmurderarepotentfactorsinreducingpopulation--inmakingroom.AsMr.CharlesWoodruff,inhis"ExpansionofRaces,"hasinstanced:In1886,whenthedikes
oftheYellowRiverburst,7,000,000peopleweredrowned.ThefailureofcropsinIreland,in1848,caused1,000,000deaths.ThefaminesinIndiaof1896-7and1899-1900lessenedthepopulationby21,000,000.TheT'ai'pingrebellionandtheMohammedanrebellion,combinedwiththefamineof1877-78,destroyedscoresofmillionsofChinese.Europehasbeensweptrepeatedlybygreatplagues.InIndia,fortheperiodof1903to1907,theplaguedeathsaveragedbetweenoneandtwomillionsayear.Mr.Woodruffisresponsiblefortheassertionthat10,000,000personsnowlivingintheUnitedStatesaredoomedtodieoftuberculosis.Andinthissamecountrytenthousandpersonsayeararedirectlymurdered.InChina,betweenthreeandsixmillionsofinfantsareannuallydestroyed,whilethetotal
infanticiderecordofthewholeworldisappalling.InAfrica,now,humanbeingsaredyingbymillionsofthesleepingsickness.
Moredestructiveoflifethanwar,isindustry.Inallcivilisedcountriesgreatmassesofpeoplearecrowdedintoslumsandlabour-ghettos,wherediseasefesters,vicecorrodes,andfamineischronic,andwheretheydiemoreswiftlyandingreaternumbersthandothesoldiersinourmodernwars.TheveryinfantmortalityofaslumparishintheEastEndofLondonisthreetimesthatofamiddle-classparishintheWestEnd.IntheUnitedStates,inthelastfourteenyears,atotalofcoal-miners,greaterthanourentirestandingarmy,hasbeenkilledandinjured.TheUnitedStatesBureauofLabourstatesthatduring
theyear1908,therewerebetween30,000and35,000deathsofworkersbyaccidents,while200,000morewereinjured.Infact,thesafestplaceforaworking-manisinthearmy.Andevenifthatarmybeatthefront,fightinginCubaorSouthAfrica,thesoldierintherankshasabetterchanceforlifethantheworking-manathome.
Andyet,despitethisterriblerollofdeath,despitetheenormouskillingofthepastandtheenormouskillingofthepresent,thereareto-dayaliveontheplanetabillionandthreequartersof
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 5/67
humanbeings.Ourimmediateconclusionisthatmanisexceedinglyfecundandverytough.Neverbeforehavetherebeensomanypeopleintheworld.Inthepastcenturiestheworld'spopulationhasbeensmaller;inthefuturecenturiesitisdestinedtobelarger.Andthisbringsustothatoldbugbearthathasbeensofrequentlylaughedawayandthatstillpersistsinraisingitsgrislyhead--namely,thedoctrineofMalthus.Whileman'sincreasingefficiencyoffood-production,combinedwithcolonisationofwholevirgincontinents,hasforgenerationsgiventheapparentlietoMalthus'mathematicalstatementoftheLawofPopulation,neverthelesstheessentialsignificanceofhisdoctrineremainsandcannotbechallenged.PopulationDOESpressagainstsubsistence.Andnomatterhowrapidlysubsistenceincreases,populationiscertaintocatchupwithit.
Whenmanwasinthehuntingstageofdevelopment,wideareaswerenecessaryforthemaintenanceofscantpopulations.Withtheshepherdstages,themeansofsubsistencebeingincreased,alargerpopulationwassupportedonthesameterritory.Theagriculturalstagegavesupporttoastilllargerpopulation;and,to-day,withtheincreasedfood-gettingefficiencyofamachinecivilisation,anevenlargerpopulationismadepossible.Noristhistheoretical.Thepopulationishere,abillionandthreequartersofmen,women,andchildren,andthisvastpopulationis
increasingonitselfbyleapsandbounds.
AheavyEuropeandrifttotheNewWorldhasgoneonandisgoingon;yetEurope,whosepopulationacenturyagowas170,000,000,hasto-day500,000,000.Atthisrateofincrease,providedthatsubsistenceisnotovertaken,acenturyfromnowthepopulationofEuropewillbe1,500,000,000.AndbeitnotedofthepresentrateofincreaseintheUnitedStatesthatonlyone-thirdisduetoimmigration,whiletwo-thirdsisduetoexcessofbirthsoverdeaths.Andatthispresentrateofincrease,thepopulationoftheUnitedStateswillbe500,000,000inlessthanacenturyfromnow.
Man,thehungryone,thekiller,hasalwayssufferedforlackofroom.Theworldhasbeenchronicallyovercrowded.Belgiumwithher572personstothesquaremileisnomorecrowdedthanwasDenmarkwhenitsupportedonly500palaeolithicpeople.AccordingtoMr.Woodruff,cultivatedlandwillproduce1600timesasmuchfoodashuntingland.FromthetimeoftheNormanConquest,forcenturiesEuropecouldsupportnomorethan25tothesquaremile.To-dayEuropesupports81tothesquaremile.TheexplanationofthisisthatfortheseveralcenturiesaftertheNormanConquestherpopulationwassaturated.Then,withthedevelopmentoftradingandcapitalism,ofexplorationandexploitationofnewlands,andwiththeinventionoflabour-savingmachineryandthediscoveryandapplicationofscientificprinciples,wasbrought
aboutatremendousincreaseinEurope'sfood-gettingefficiency.Andimmediatelyherpopulationsprangup.
AccordingtothecensusofIreland,of1659,thatcountryhadapopulationof500,000.Onehundredandfiftyyearslater,herpopulationwas8,000,000.FormanycenturiesthepopulationofJapanwasstationary.Thereseemednowayofincreasingherfood-gettingefficiency.Then,sixtyyearsago,cameCommodorePerry,knockingdownherdoorsandlettingintheknowledgeandmachineryofthesuperiorfood-gettingefficiencyoftheWesternworld.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 6/67
Immediatelyuponthisriseinsubsistencebegantheriseofpopulation;anditisonlytheotherdaythatJapan,findingherpopulationonceagainpressingagainstsubsistence,embarked,swordinhand,onawestwarddriftinsearchofmoreroom.And,swordinhand,killingandbeingkilled,shehascarvedoutforherselfFormosaandKorea,anddriventhevanguardofherdriftfarintotherichinteriorofManchuria.
ForanimmenseperiodoftimeChina'spopulationhasremainedat400,000,000--thesaturationpoint.TheonlyreasonthattheYellowRiverperiodicallydrownsmillionsofChineseisthatthereisnootherlandforthosemillionstofarm.Andaftereverysuchcatastrophethewaveofhumanliferollsupandnowmillionsfloodoutuponthatprecariousterritory.Theyaredriventoit,becausetheyarepressedremorselesslyagainstsubsistence.ItisinevitablethatChina,soonerorlater,likeJapan,willlearnandputintoapplicationourownsuperiorfood-gettingefficiency.Andwhenthattimecomes,itislikewiseinevitablethatherpopulationwillincreasebyunguessedmillionsuntilitagainreachesthesaturationpoint.Andthen,inoculatedwithWesternideas,mayshenot,likeJapan,takeswordinhandandstartforthcolossallyonadriftofherownformoreroom?Thisisanotherreputedbogie--theYellowPeril;yetthemenofChinaareonlymen,likeanyotherraceofmen,andallmen,downallhistory,
havedriftedhungrily,here,thereandeverywhereovertheplanet,seekingforsomethingtoeat.Whatothermendo,maynottheChinesedo?
Butachangehaslongbeencomingintheaffairsofman.Themorerecentdriftsofthestrongerraces,carvingtheirwaythroughthelesserbreedstomoreearth-space,hasledtopeace,evertowiderandmorelastingpeace.Thelesserbreeds,underpenaltyofbeingkilled,havebeencompelledtolaydowntheirweaponsandceasekillingamongthemselves.Thescalp-talkingIndianandthehead-huntingMelanesianhavebeeneitherdestroyedorconvertedtoabeliefinthesuperiorefficacyofcivilsuitsandcriminalprosecutions.Theplanetisbeingsubdued.Thewildandthe
hurtfulareeithertamedoreliminated.Fromthebeastsofpreyandthecannibalhumansdowntothedeath-dealingmicrobes,noquarterisgiven;anddaily,widerandwiderareasofhostileterritory,whetherofawarringdesert-tribeinAfricaorapestilentialfever-holelikePanama,aremadepeaceableandhabitableformankind.Asforthegreatmassofstay-at-homefolk,whatpercentageofthepresentgenerationintheUnitedStates,England,orGermany,hasseenwarorknowsanythingofwaratfirsthand?Therewasneversomuchpeaceintheworldasthereisto-day.
Waritself,theoldredanarch,ispassing.Itissafertobeasoldierthanaworking-man.Thechanceforlifeisgreaterinan
activecampaignthaninafactoryoracoal-mine.Inthematterofkilling,warisgrowingimpotent,andthisinfaceofthefactthatthemachineryofwarwasneversoexpensiveinthepastnorsodreadful.War-equipmentto-day,intimeofpeace,ismoreexpensivethanofoldintimeofwar.Astandingarmycostsmoretomaintainthanitusedtocosttoconqueranempire.Itismoreexpensivetobereadytokill,thanitusedtobetodothekilling.ThepriceofaDreadnoughtwouldfurnishthewholearmyofXerxeswithkillingweapons.And,inspiteofitsmagnificentequipment,warnolongerkillsasitusedtowhenitsmethodswere
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 7/67
simpler.Abombardmentbyamodernfleethasbeenknowntoresultinthekillingofonemule.Thecasualtiesofatwentiethcenturywarbetweentwoworld-powersaresuchastomakeaworkerinaniron-foundryturngreenwithenvy.Warhasbecomeajoke.Menhavemadeforthemselvesmonstersofbattlewhichtheycannotfaceinbattle.Subsistenceisgenerousthesedays,lifeisnotcheap,anditisnotinthenatureoffleshandbloodtoindulgeinthecarnagemadepossiblebypresent-daymachinery.Thisisnottheoretical,aswillbeshownbyacomparisonofdeathsinbattleandmeninvolved,intheSouthAfricanWarandtheSpanish-AmericanWarontheonehand,andtheCivilWarortheNapoleonicWarsontheother.
Notonlyhaswar,byitsownevolution,rendereditselffutile,butmanhimself,withgreaterwisdomandhigherethics,isopposedtowar.Hehaslearnedtoomuch.Warisrepugnanttohiscommonsense.Heconceivesittobewrong,tobeabsurd,andtobeveryexpensive.Forthedamagewroughtandtheresultsaccomplished,itisnotworththeprice.Justasinthedisputesofindividualsthearbitrationofacivilcourtinsteadofabloodfeudismorepractical,so,mandecides,isarbitrationmorepracticalinthedisputesofnations.
Warispassing,diseaseisbeingconquered,andman'sfood-getting
efficiencyisincreasing.Itisbecauseofthesefactorsthatthereareabillionandthreequartersofpeoplealiveto-dayinsteadofabillion,orthree-quartersofabillion.Anditisbecauseofthesefactorsthattheworld'spopulationwillverysoonbetwobillionsandclimbingrapidlytowardthreebillions.Thelifetimeofthegenerationisincreasingsteadily.Menlivelongerthesedays.Lifeisnotsoprecarious.Thenewborninfanthasagreaterchanceforsurvivalthanatanytimeinthepast.Surgeryandsanitationreducethefatalitiesthataccompanythemischancesoflifeandtheravagesofdisease.Menandwomen,withdeficienciesandweaknessesthatinthepastwouldhaveeffectedtheirrapidextinction,liveto-dayandfatherandmotheranumerousprogeny.Andhighasthefood-gettingefficiencymay
soar,populationisboundtosoarafterit."Theabysmalfecundity"oflifehasnotaltered.Giventhefood,andlifewillincrease.Asmallpercentageofthebillionandthree-quartersthatliveto-daymayhushtheclamouroflifetobeborn,butitisonlyasmallpercentage.Inthisparticular,thelifeintheman-animalisverylikethelifeintheotheranimals.
Andstillanotherchangeiscominginhumanaffairs.Thoughpoliticiansgnashtheirteethandcryanathema,andman,whosesuperficialbook-learningisvitiatedbycrystallisedprejudice,assuresusthatcivilisationwillgotosmash,thetrendofsociety,to-day,theworldover,istowardsocialism.Theoldindividualismispassing.Thestateinterferesmoreandmorein
affairsthathithertohavebeenconsideredsacredlyprivate.Andsocialism,whenthelastwordissaid,ismerelyaneweconomicandpoliticalsystemwherebymoremencangetfoodtoeat.Inshort,socialismisanimprovedfood-gettingefficiency.
Furthermore,notonlywillsocialismgetfoodmoreeasilyandingreaterquantity,butitwillachieveamoreequitabledistributionofthatfood.Socialismpromises,foratime,togiveallmen,women,andchildrenalltheywanttoeat,andtoenablethemtoeatalltheywantasoftenastheywant.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 8/67
Subsistencewillbepushedback,temporarily,anexceedinglylongway.Inconsequence,thefloodoflifewillriselikeatidalwave.Therewillbemoremarriagesandmorechildrenborn.Theenforcedsterilitythatobtainsto-dayformanymillions,willnolongerobtain.Norwillthefecundmillionsintheslumsandlabour-ghettos,whoto-daydieofalltheillsduetochronicunderfeedingandovercrowding,andwhodiewiththeirfecunditylargelyunrealised,dieinthatfuturedaywhentheincreasedfood-gettingefficiencyofsocialismwillgivethemalltheywanttoeat.
Itisundeniablethatpopulationwillincreaseprodigiously-justasithasincreasedprodigiouslyduringthelastfewcenturies,followingupontheincreaseinfood-gettingefficiency.Themagnitudeofpopulationinthatfuturedayiswellnighunthinkable.Butthereisonlysomuchlandandwateronthesurfaceoftheearth.Man,despitehismarvellousaccomplishments,willneverbeabletoincreasethediameteroftheplanet.Theolddaysofvirgincontinentswillbegone.Thehabitableplanet,fromice-captoice-cap,willbeinhabited.Andinthematteroffood-getting,asineverythingelse,manisonlyfinite.Undreamed-ofefficienciesinfood-gettingmaybeachieved,but,soonorlate,manwillfindhimselffacetofacewithMalthus'grimlaw.Notonlywillpopulationcatchupwith
subsistence,butitwillpressagainstsubsistence,andthepressurewillbepitilessandsavage.Somewhereinthefutureisadatewhenmanwillface,consciously,thebitterfactthatthereisnotfoodenoughforallofhimtoeat.
Whenthisdaycomes,whatthen?Willtherebearecrudescenceofoldobsoletewar?Inasaturatedpopulationlifeisalwayscheap,asitischeapinChina,inIndia,to-day.Willnewhumandriftstakeplace,questingforroom,carvingearth-spaceoutofcrowdedlife.WilltheSwordagainsing:
"Follow,Ofollow,then,
Heroes,myharvesters!WherethetallgrainisripeThrustinyoursickles!StrippedandadustInastubbleofempireScythingandbindingThefullsheavesofsovereignty."
Evenif,asofold,manshouldwanderhungrily,swordinhand,slayingandbeingslain,thereliefwouldbeonlytemporary.Evenifoneracealoneshouldhewdownthelastsurvivorofalltheotherraces,thatonerace,driftingtheworldaround,would
saturatetheplanetwithitsownlifeandagainpressagainstsubsistence.Andinthatday,thedeathrateandthebirthratewillhavetobalance.Menwillhavetodie,orbepreventedfrombeingborn.Undoubtedlyahigherqualityoflifewillobtain,andalsoaslowlydecreasingfecundity.Butthisdecreasewillbesoslowthatthepressureagainstsubsistencewillremain.Thecontrolofprogenywillbeoneofthemostimportantproblemsofmanandoneofthemostimportantfunctionsofthestate.Menwillsimplybenotpermittedtobeborn.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 9/67
Disease,fromtimetotime,willeasethepressure.Diseasesareparasites,anditmustnotbeforgottenthatjustastherearedriftsintheworldofman,soaretheredriftsintheworldofmicro-organisms--hunger-questsforfood.Littleisknownofthemicro-organicworld,butthatlittleisappalling;andnocensusofitwilleverbetaken,forthereisthetrue,literal"abysmalfecundity."Multitudinousasmanis,allhistotalityofindividualsisasnothingincomparisonwiththeinconceivablevastnessofnumbersofthemicro-organisms.Inyourbody,orinmine,rightnow,areswarmingmoreindividualentitiesthantherearehumanbeingsintheworldto-day.Itistousaninvisibleworld.Weonlyguessitsnearestconfines.Withourpowerfulmicroscopesandultramicroscopes,enlargingdiameterstwentythousandtimes,wecatchbuttheslightestglimpsesofthatprofundityofinfinitesimallife.
Littleisknownofthatworld,saveinageneralway.Weknowthatoutofitarisediseases,newtous,thatafflictanddestroyman.Wedonotknowwhetherthesediseasesaremerelythedrifts,inafreshdirection,ofalready-existingbreedsofmicro-organisms,orwhethertheyarenew,absolutelynew,breedsthemselvesjustspontaneouslygenerated.Thelatterhypothesisistenable,forwetheorisethatifspontaneousgenerationstilloccursontheearth,itisfarmorelikelytooccurintheformof
simpleorganismsthanofcomplicatedorganisms.
Anotherthingweknow,andthatisthatitisincrowdedpopulationsthatnewdiseasesarise.Theyhavedonesointhepast.Theydosoto-day.Andnomatterhowwiseareourphysiciansandbacteriologists,nomatterhowsuccessfullytheycopewiththeseinvaders,newinvaderscontinuetoarise--newdriftsofhungrylifeseekingtodevourus.Andsowearejustifiedinbelievingthatinthesaturatedpopulationsofthefuture,whenlifeissuffocatinginthepressureagainstsubsistence,thatnew,andevernew,hostsofdestroyingmicro-organismswillcontinuetoariseandflingthemselvesuponearth-crowdedmantogivehimroom.Theremayevenbeplaguesof
unprecedentedferocitythatwilldepopulategreatareasbeforethewitofmancanovercomethem.Andthisweknow:thatnomatterhowoftentheseinvisiblehostsmaybeovercomebyman'sbecomingimmunetothemthroughacruelandterribleselection,newhostswilleverariseofthesemicro-organismsthatwereintheworldbeforehecameandthatwillbehereafterheisgone.
Afterheisgone?Willhethensomedaybegone,andthisplanetknowhimnomore?Isitthitherthatthehumandriftinallitstotalityistrending?GodHimselfissilentonthispoint,thoughsomeofHisprophetshavegivenusvividrepresentationsofthatlastdaywhentheearthshallpassintonothingness.Nordoesscience,despiteitsradiumspeculationsanditsattempted
analysesoftheultimatenatureofmatter,giveusanyotherwordthanthatmanwillpass.Sofarasman'sknowledgegoes,lawisuniversal.Elementsreactundercertainunchangeableconditions.Oneoftheseconditionsistemperature.Whetheritbeinthetesttubeofthelaboratoryortheworkshopofnature,allorganicchemicalreactionstakeplaceonlywithinarestrictedrangeofheat.Man,thelatestoftheephemera,ispitifullyacreatureoftemperature,struttinghisbriefdayonthethermometer.Behindhimisapastwhereinitwastoowarmforhimtoexist.Aheadofhimisafuturewhereinitwillbetoocoldforhimtoexist.He
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 10/67
cannotadjusthimselftothatfuture,becausehecannotalteruniversallaw,becausehecannotalterhisownconstructionnorthemoleculesthatcomposehim.
ItwouldbewelltopondertheselinesofHerbertSpencer'swhichfollow,andwhichembody,possibly,thewildestvisionthescientificmindhaseverachieved:
"MotionaswellasMatterbeingfixedinquantity,itwouldseemthatthechangeinthedistributionofMatterwhichMotioneffects,comingtoalimitinwhicheverdirectionitiscarried,theindestructibleMotionthereuponnecessitatesareversedistribution.Apparently,theuniversally-co-existentforcesofattractionandrepulsion,which,aswehaveseen,necessitaterhythminallminorchangesthroughouttheUniverse,alsonecessitaterhythminthetotalityofitschanges--producenowanimmeasurableperiodduringwhichtheattractiveforcespredominating,causeuniversalconcentration,andthenanimmeasurableperiodduringwhichtherepulsiveforcespredominating,causeuniversaldiffusion--alternateerasofEvolutionandDissolution.ANDTHUSTHEREISSUGGESTEDTHECONCEPTIONOFAPASTDURINGWHICHTHEREHAVEBEENSUCCESSIVEEVOLUTIONSANALOGOUSTOTHATWHICHISNOWGOINGON;AFUTURE
DURINGWHICHSUCCESSIVEOTHEREVOLUTIONSMAYGOON--EVERTHESAMEINPRINCIPLEBUTNEVERTHESAMEINCONCRETERESULT."
Thatisit--themostweknow--alternateerasofevolutionanddissolution.Inthepasttherehavebeenotherevolutionssimilartothatoneinwhichwelive,andinthefuturetheremaybeothersimilarevolutions--thatisall.Theprincipleofalltheseevolutionsremains,buttheconcreteresultsarenevertwicealike.Manwasnot;hewas;andagainhewillnotbe.Ineternitywhichisbeyondourcomprehension,theparticularevolutionofthatsolarsatellitewecallthe"Earth"occupiedbutaslightfractionoftime.Andofthatfractionoftimeman
occupiesbutasmallportion.Allthewholehumandrift,fromthefirstape-mantothelastsavant,isbutaphantom,aflashoflightandaflutterofmovementacrosstheinfinitefaceofthestarrynight.
Whenthethermometerdrops,manceases--withallhislustsandwrestlingsandachievements;withallhisrace-adventuresandrace-tragedies;andwithallhisredkillings,billionsuponbillionsofhumanlivesmultipliedbyasmanybillionsmore.ThisisthelastwordofScience,unlesstherebesomefurther,unguessedwordwhichSciencewillsomedayfindandutter.Inthemeantimeitseesnofartherthanthestarryvoid,wherethe"fleetingsystemslapselikefoam."Ofwhatledger-accountisthe
tinylifeofmaninavastnesswherestarssnuffoutlikecandlesandgreatsunsblazeforatime-tickofeternityandaregone?
Andforuswholive,noworsecanhappenthanhashappenedtotheearliestdriftsofman,markedto-daybyruinedcitiesofforgottencivilisation--ruinedcities,which,onexcavation,arefoundtorestonruinsofearliercities,cityuponcity,andfourteencities,downtoastratumwhere,stillearlier,wanderingherdsmendrovetheirflocks,andwhere,evenprecedingthem,wildhunterschasedtheirpreylongafterthecave-manandthemanof
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 11/67
thesquatting-placecrackedtheknuckle-bonesofwildanimalsandvanishedfromtheearth.Thereisnothingterribleaboutit.WithRichardHovey,whenhefacedhisdeath,wecansay:"Behold!Ihavelived!"Andwithanotherandgreaterone,wecanlayourselvesdownwithawill.Theonedropofliving,theonetasteofbeing,hasbeengood;andperhapsourgreatestachievementwillbethatwedreamedimmortality,eventhoughwefailedtorealiseit.
SMALL-BOATSAILING
Asailorisborn,notmade.Andby"sailor"ismeant,nottheaverageefficientandhopelesscreaturewhoisfoundto-dayintheforecastleofdeepwaterships,butthemanwhowilltakeafabriccompoundedofwoodandironandropeandcanvasandcompelittoobeyhiswillonthesurfaceofthesea.Barringcaptainsandmatesofbigships,thesmall-boatsailoristherealsailor.Heknows--hemustknow--howtomakethewindcarryhiscraftfromonegivenpointtoanothergivenpoint.Hemustknowabouttidesandripsandeddies,barandchannelmarkings,anddayandnight
signals;hemustbewiseinweather-lore;andhemustbesympatheticallyfamiliarwiththepeculiarqualitiesofhisboatwhichdifferentiateitfromeveryotherboatthatwaseverbuiltandrigged.Hemustknowhowtogentleherabout,asoneinstanceofamyriad,andtofillherontheothertackwithoutdeadeningherwayorallowinghertofallofftoofar.
Thedeepwatersailorofto-dayneedsknownoneofthesethings.Andhedoesn't.Hepullsandhaulsasheisordered,swabsdecks,washespaint,andchipsiron-rust.Heknowsnothing,andcaresless.Puthiminasmallboatandheishelpless.Hewillcutanevenbetterfigureonthehurricanedeckofahorse.
Ishallneverforgetmychild-astonishmentwhenIfirstencounteredoneofthesestrangebeings.HewasarunawayEnglishsailor.Iwasaladoftwelve,withadecked-over,fourteen-foot,centre-boardskiffwhichIhadtaughtmyselftosail.Isatathisfeetasatthefeetofagod,whilehediscoursedofstrangelandsandpeoples,deedsofviolence,andhair-raisinggalesatsea.Then,oneday,Itookhimforasail.Withallthetrepidationoftheveriestlittleamateur,Ihoistedsailandgotunderway.Herewasaman,lookingoncritically,Iwassure,whoknewmoreinonesecondaboutboatsandthewaterthanIcouldeverknow.Afteraninterval,inwhichIexceededmyself,hetookthetillerandthesheet.Isatonthelittlethwartamidships,open-mouthed,preparedtolearnwhatrealsailingwas.Mymouth
remainedopen,forIlearnedwhatarealsailorwasinasmallboat.Hecouldn'ttrimthesheettosavehimself,henearlycapsizedseveraltimesinsqualls,and,onceagain,byblunderinglyjibingover;hedidn'tknowwhatacentre-boardwasfor,nordidheknowthatinrunningaboatbeforethewindonemustsitinthemiddleinsteadofontheside;andfinally,whenwecamebacktothewharf,herantheskiffinfulltilt,shatteringhernoseandcarryingawaythemast-step.Andyethewasareallytrulysailorfreshfromthevastydeep.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 12/67
Whichpointsmymoral.Amancansailintheforecastlesofbigshipsallhislifeandneverknowwhatrealsailingis.FromthetimeIwastwelve,Ilistenedtothelureofthesea.WhenIwasfifteenIwascaptainandownerofanoyster-piratesloop.BythetimeIwassixteenIwassailinginscow-schooners,fishingsalmonwiththeGreeksuptheSacramentoRiver,andservingassailorontheFishPatrol.AndIwasagoodsailor,too,thoughallmycruisinghadbeenonSanFranciscoBayandtheriverstributarytoit.Ihadneverbeenontheoceaninmylife.
Then,themonthIwasseventeen,Isignedbeforethemastasanableseamanonathree-top-mastschoonerboundonaseven-months'cruiseacrossthePacificandbackagain.Asmyshipmatespromptlyinformedme,Ihadhadmynervewithmetosignonasableseaman.Yetbehold,IWASanableseaman.Ihadgraduatedfromtherightschool.Ittooknomorethanminutestolearnthenamesandusesofthefewnewropes.Itwassimple.Ididnotdothingsblindly.Asasmall-boatsailorIhadlearnedtoreasonoutandknowtheWHYofeverything.Itistrue,Ihadtolearnhowtosteerbycompass,whichtookmaybehalfaminute;butwhenitcametosteering"full-and-by"and"close-and-by,"Icouldbeattheaverageofmyshipmates,becausethatwastheverywayIhadalwayssailed.InsidefifteenminutesIcouldboxthecompassaroundandbackagain.Andtherewaslittleelsetolearnduring
thatseven-months'cruise,exceptfancyrope-sailorising,suchasthemorecomplicatedlanyardknotsandthemakingofvariouskindsofsennitandrope-mats.Thepointofallofwhichisthatitisbymeansofsmall-boatsailingthattherealsailorisbestschooled.
Andifamanisabornsailor,andhasgonetotheschoolofthesea,neverinallhislifecanhegetawayfromtheseaagain.Thesaltofitisinhisbonesaswellashisnostrils,andtheseawillcalltohimuntilhedies.Oflateyears,Ihavefoundeasierwaysofearningaliving.Ihavequittheforecastleforkeeps,butalwaysIcomebacktothesea.InmycaseitisusuallySanFranciscoBay,thanwhichnolustier,tougher,sheet
ofwatercanbefoundforsmall-boatsailing.
ItreallyblowsonSanFranciscoBay.Duringthewinter,whichisthebestcruisingseason,wehavesoutheasters,southwesters,andoccasionalhowlingnorthers.Throughoutthesummerwehavewhatwecallthe"sea-breeze,"anunfailingwindoffthePacificthatonmostafternoonsintheweekblowswhattheAtlanticCoastyachtsmenwouldnameagale.Theyarealwayssurprisedbythesmallspreadofcanvasouryachtscarry.Someofthem,withschoonerstheyhavesailedaroundtheHorn,havelookedproudlyattheirownloftysticksandhugespreads,thenpatronisinglyandevenpityinglyatours.Then,perchance,theyhavejoinedinaclubcruisefromSanFranciscotoMareIsland.Theyfoundthe
morningrunuptheBaydelightful.Intheafternoon,whenthebravewestwindrampedacrossSanPabloBayandtheyfaceditonthelongbeathome,thingsweresomewhatdifferent.Onebyone,likeaflightofswallows,ourmoremeagrelysparredandcanvassedyachtswentby,leavingthemwallowinganddeadandshorteningdowninwhattheycalledagalebutwhichwecalledadandysailingbreeze.Thenexttimetheycameout,wewouldnoticetheirstickscutdown,theirboomsshortened,andtheirafter-leechesnearertheluffsbywholecloths.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 13/67
Asforexcitement,thereisallthedifferenceintheworldbetweenashipintroubleatsea,andasmallboatintroubleonland-lockedwater.Yetforgenuineexcitementandthrill,givemethesmallboat.Thingshappensoquickly,andtherearealwayssofewtodothework--andhardwork,too,asthesmall-boatsailorknows.Ihavetoiledallnight,bothwatchesondeck,inatyphoonoffthecoastofJapan,andbeenlessexhaustedthanbytwohours'workatreefingdownathirty-footsloopandheavinguptwoanchorsonaleeshoreinascreamingsouth-easter.
Hardworkandexcitement?Letthewindbaffleanddropinaheavytide-wayjustasyouaresailingyourlittlesloopthroughanarrowdraw-bridge.Beholdyoursails,uponwhichyouaredepending,flapwithsuddenemptiness,andthenseetheimpishwind,withahaulofeightpoints,fillyourjibabackwithagustypuff.Aroundshegoes,andsweeps,notthroughtheopendraw,butbroadsideonagainstthesolidpiles.Heartheroarofthetide,suckingthroughthetrestle.Andhearandseeyourpretty,fresh-paintedboatcrashagainstthepiles.Feelherstoutlittlehullgivetotheimpact.Seetherailactuallypinchin.Hearyourcanvastearing,andseetheblack,square-endedtimbersthrustingholesthroughit.Smash!Theregoesyourtopmaststay,andthetopmastreelsoverdrunkenlyaboveyou.Thereisarippingandcrunching.Ifitcontinues,yourstarboard
shroudswillbetornout.Grabarope--anyrope--andtakeaturnaroundapile.Butthefreeendoftheropeistooshort.Youcan'tmakeitfast,andyouholdonandwildlyyellforyouronecompaniontogetaturnwithanotherandlongerrope.Holdon!Youholdontillyouarepurpleintheface,tillitseemsyourarmsaredraggingoutoftheirsockets,tillthebloodburstsfromtheendsofyourfingers.Butyouhold,andyourpartnergetsthelongerropeandmakesitfast.Youstraightenupandlookatyourhands.Theyareruined.Youcanscarcelyrelaxthecrooksofthefingers.Thepainissickening.Butthereisnotime.Theskiff,whichisalwaysperverse,ispoundingagainstthebarnaclesonthepileswhichthreatentoscrapeitsgunwaleoff.It'sdropthepeak!Downjib!Thenyourunlines,andpullandhauland
heave,andexchangeunpleasantremarkswiththebridge-tenderwhoisalwayswillingtomeetyoumorethanhalfwayinsuchrepartee.Andfinally,attheendofanhour,withachingback,sweat-soakedshirt,andslaughteredhands,youarethroughandswingingalongontheplacid,beneficenttidebetweennarrowbankswherethecattlestandknee-deepandgazewonderinglyatyou.Excitement!Work!Canyoubeatitinacalmdayonthedeepsea?
I'vetrieditbothways.Irememberlabouringinafourteendays'galeoffthecoastofNewZealand.Wewereatrampcollier,rustyandbattered,withsixthousandtonsofcoalinourhold.Lifelineswerestretchedforeandaft;andonourweatherside,attachedtosmokestackguysandrigging,werehugerope-nettings,
hungthereforthepurposeofbreakingtheforceoftheseasandsosavingourmess-roomdoors.Butthedoorsweresmashedandthemess-roomswashedoutjustthesame.Andyet,outofitall,arosebuttheonefeeling,namely,ofmonotony.
Incontrastwiththeforegoing,abouttheliveliesteightdaysofmylifewerespentinasmallboatonthewestcoastofKorea.NevermindwhyIwasthusvoyaginguptheYellowSeaduringthemonthofFebruaryinbelow-zeroweather.ThepointisthatIwasinanopenboat,asampan,onarockycoastwheretherewereno
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 14/67
light-housesandwherethetidesranfromthirtytosixtyfeet.MycrewwereJapanesefishermen.Wedidnotspeakeachother'slanguage.Yettherewasnothingmonotonousaboutthattrip.NevershallIforgetoneparticularcoldbitterdawn,when,inthethickofdrivingsnow,wetookinsailanddroppedoursmallanchor.Thewindwashowlingoutofthenorthwest,andwewereonaleeshore.Aheadandastern,allescapewascutoffbyrockyheadlands,againstwhosebasesbursttheunbrokenseas.Towindwardashortdistance,seenonlybetweenthesnow-squalls,wasalowrockyreef.ItwasthisthatinadequatelyprotectedusfromthewholeYellowSeathatthunderedinuponus.
TheJapanesecrawledunderacommunalricematandwenttosleep.Ijoinedthem,andforseveralhourswedozedfitfully.Thenaseadelugedusoutwithicywater,andwefoundseveralinchesofsnowontopthemat.Thereeftowindwardwasdisappearingundertherisingtide,andmomentbymomenttheseasbrokemorestronglyovertherocks.Thefishermenstudiedtheshoreanxiously.SodidI,andwithasailor'seye,thoughIcouldseelittlechanceforaswimmertogainthatsurf-hammeredlineofrocks.Imadesignstowardtheheadlandsoneitherflank.TheJapaneseshooktheirheads.Iindicatedthatdreadfulleeshore.Stilltheyshooktheirheadsanddidnothing.Myconclusionwasthattheywereparalysedbythehopelessnessofthesituation.Yetour
extremityincreasedwitheveryminute,fortherisingtidewasrobbingusofthereefthatservedasbuffer.Itsoonbecameacaseofswampingatouranchor.Seasweresplashingonboardingrowingvolume,andwebaledconstantly.Andstillmyfishermencreweyedthesurf-batteredshoreanddidnothing.
Atlast,aftermanynarrowescapesfromcompleteswamping,thefishermengotintoaction.Allhandstailedontotheanchorandhoveitup.For'ard,astheboat'sheadpaidoff,wesetapatchofsailaboutthesizeofaflour-sack.Andweheadedstraightforshore.Iunlacedmyshoes,unbottonedmygreat-coatandcoat,andwasreadytomakeaquickpartialstripaminuteorsobeforewestruck.Butwedidn'tstrike,and,aswerushedin,Isawthe
beautyofthesituation.Beforeusopenedanarrowchannel,frilledatitsmouthwithbreakingseas.Yet,longbefore,whenIhadscannedtheshoreclosely,therehadbeennosuchchannel.IHADFORGOTTENTHETHIRTY-FOOTTIDE.AnditwasforthistidethattheJapanesehadsoprecariouslywaited.Weranthefrillofbreakers,curvedintoatinyshelteredbaywherethewaterwasscarcelyflawedbythegale,andlandedonabeachwherethesaltseaofthelasttidelayfrozeninlongcurvinglines.Andthiswasonegaleofthreeinthecourseofthoseeightdaysinthesampan.Wouldithavebeenbeatenonaship?Ifearmetheshipwouldhavegoneagroundontheoutlyingreefandthatitspeoplewouldhavebeenincontinentlyandmonotonouslydrowned.
Thereareenoughsurprisesandmishapsinathree-days'cruiseinasmallboattosupplyagreatshipontheoceanforafullyear.Iremember,once,takingoutonhertrialtripalittlethirty-footerIhadjustbought.Insixdayswehadtwostiffblows,and,inaddition,onepropersouthwesterandoneripsnortingsoutheaster.Theslightintervalsbetweentheseblowsweredeadcalms.Also,inthesixdays,wewereagroundthreetimes.Then,too,wetieduptothebankintheSacramentoRiver,and,groundingbyanaccidentonthesteepslopeonafallingtide,nearlyturnedasidesomersaultdownthebank.Inastarkcalm
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 15/67
andheavytideintheCarquinezStraits,whereanchorsskateonthechannel-scouredbottom,weweresuckedagainstabigdockandsmashedandbumpeddownaquarterofamileofitslengthbeforewecouldgetclear.Twohoursafterward,onSanPabloBay,thewindwaspipingupandwewerereefingdown.Itisnofuntopickupaskiffadriftinaheavyseaandgale.Thatwasournexttask,forourskiff,swamping,partedbothtowingpainterswehadbenton.Beforewerecovereditwehadnearlykilledourselveswithexhaustion,andwecertainlyhadstrainedthesloopineverypartfromkeelsontotruck.Andtocapitall,comingintoourhomeport,beatingupthenarrowestpartoftheSanAntonioEstuary,wehadashaveofinchesfromcollisionwithabigshipintowofatug.Ihavesailedtheoceaninfarlargercraftayearatatime,inwhichperiodoccurrednosuchchapterofmovingincident.
Afterall,themishapsarealmostthebestpartofsmall-boatsailing.Lookingback,theyprovetobepunctuationsofjoy.Atthetimetheytryyourmettleandyourvocabulary,andmaymakeyousopessimisticastobelievethatGodhasagrudgeagainstyou--butafterward,ah,afterward,withwhatpleasureyourememberthemandwithwhatgustodoyourelatethemtoyourbrotherskippersinthefellowhoodofsmall-boatsailing!
Anarrow,windingslough;ahalftide,exposingmudsurfacedwithgangrenousslime;thewateritselffilthyanddiscolouredbythewastefromthevatsofanear-bytannery;themarshgrassoneithersidemottledwithalltheshadesofadecayingorchid;acrazy,ramshackled,ancientwharf;andattheendofthewharfasmall,white-paintedsloop.Nothingromanticaboutit.Nohintofadventure.Asplendidpictorialargumentagainsttheallegedjoysofsmall-boatsailing.PossiblythatiswhatCloudesleyandIthought,thatsombre,leadenmorningasweturnedouttocookbreakfastandwashdecks.Thelatterwasmystunt,butonelookatthedirtywateroversideandanotheratmyfresh-painteddeck,deterredme.Afterbreakfast,westartedagameofchess.Thetidecontinuedtofall,andwefeltthesloopbegintolist.We
playedonuntilthechessmenbegantofallover.Thelistincreased,andwewentondeck.Bow-lineandstern-lineweredrawntaut.Aswelookedtheboatlistedstillfartherwithanabruptjerk.Thelineswerenowverytaut.
"Assoonasherbellytouchesthebottomshewillstop,"Isaid.
Cloudesleysoundedwithaboat-hookalongtheoutside.
"Sevenfeetofwater,"heannounced."Thebankisalmostupanddown.Thefirstthingthattoucheswillbehermastwhensheturnsbottomup."
Anominous,minutesnappingnoisecamefromthestern-line.Evenaswelooked,wesawastrandfrayandpart.Thenwejumped.Scarcelyhadwebentanotherlinebetweenthesternandthewharf,whentheoriginallineparted.Aswebentanotherlinefor'ard,theoriginalonetherecrackledandparted.Afterthat,itwasaninfernoofworkandexcitement.
Weranmoreandmorelines,andmoreandmorelinescontinuedtopart,andmoreandmoretheprettyboatwentoveronherside.Webentalloursparelines;weunrovesheetsandhalyards;weused
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 16/67
ourtwo-inchhawser;wefastenedlinespartwayupthemast,halfwayup,andeverywhereelse.WetoiledandsweatedandenouncedourmutualandsincereconvictionthatGod'sgrudgestillheldagainstus.Countryyokelscamedownonthewharfandsniggeredatus.WhenCloudesleyletacoilofropeslipdowntheinclineddeckintothevileslimeandfisheditoutwithseasickcountenance,theyokelssniggeredlouderanditwasallIcoulddotopreventhimfromclimbinguponthewharfandcommittingmurder.
Bythetimethesloop'sdeckwasperpendicular,wehadunbenttheboom-liftfrombelow,madeitfasttothewharf,and,withtheotherendfastnearlytothemast-head,heavedittautwithblockandtackle.Theliftwasofsteelwire.Wewereconfidentthatitcouldstandthestrain,butwedoubtedtheholding-powerofthestaysthatheldthemast.
Thetidehadtwomorehourstoebb(anditwasthebigrun-out),whichmeantthatfivehoursmustelapseerethereturningtidewouldgiveusachancetolearnwhetherornotthesloopwouldrisetoitandrightherself.
Thebankwasalmostupanddown,andatthebottom,directlybeneathus,thefast-ebbingtideleftapitofthevilest,illest-
smelling,illest-appearingmucktobeseeninmanyaday'sride.SaidCloudesleytomegazingdownintoit:
"Iloveyouasabrother.I'dfightforyou.I'dfaceroaringlions,andsuddendeathbyfieldandflood.Butjustthesame,don'tyoufallintothat."Heshudderednauseously."Forifyoudo,Ihaven'tthegrittopullyouout.Isimplycouldn't.You'dbeawful.ThebestIcoulddowouldbetotakeaboat-hookandshoveyoudownoutofsight."
Wesatontheupperside-wallofthecabin,dangledourlegsdownthetopofthecabin,leanedourbacksagainstthedeck,andplayedchessuntiltherisingtideandtheblockandtackleonthe
boom-liftenabledustogetheronarespectablekeelagain.Yearsafterward,downintheSouthSeas,ontheislandofYsabel,Iwascaughtinasimilarpredicament.Inordertocleanhercopper,IhadcareenedtheSnarkbroadsideontothebeachandoutward.Whenthetiderose,sherefusedtorise.Thewatercreptinthroughthescuppers,mountedovertherail,andtheleveloftheoceanslowlycrawleduptheslantofthedeck.Webatteneddowntheengine-roomhatch,andthesearosetoitandoveritandclimbedperilouslyneartothecabincompanion-wayandskylight.Wewereallsickwithfever,butweturnedoutintheblazingtropicsunandtoiledmadlyforseveralhours.Wecarriedourheaviestlinesashorefromourmast-headsandheavedwithourheaviestpurchaseuntileverythingcrackledincludingourselves.
Wewouldspelloffandliedownlikedeadmen,thengetupandheaveandcrackleagain.Andintheend,ourlowerrailfivefeetunderwaterandthewaveletslappingthecompanion-waycombing,thesturdylittlecraftshiveredandshookherselfandpointedhermastsoncemoretothezenith.
Thereisneverlackofexerciseinsmall-boatsailing,andthehardworkisnotonlypartofthefunofit,butitbeatsthedoctors.SanFranciscoBayisnomillpond.Itisalargeanddraughtyandvariegatedpieceofwater.Iremember,onewinter
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 17/67
evening,tryingtoenterthemouthoftheSacramento.Therewasafreshetontheriver,thefloodtidefromthebayhadbeenbeatenbackintoastrongebb,andthelustywestwinddieddownwiththesun.Itwasjustsunset,andwithafairtomiddlingbreeze,deadaft,westoodstillintherapidcurrent.Weweresquarelyinthemouthoftheriver;buttherewasnoanchorageandwedriftedbackward,fasterandfaster,anddroppedanchoroutsideasthelastbreathofwindleftus.Thenightcameon,beautifulandwarmandstarry.Myonecompanioncookedsupper,whileondeckIputeverythinginshapeBristolfashion.Whenweturnedinatnineo'clocktheweather-promisewasexcellent.(IfIhadcarriedabarometerI'dhaveknownbetter.)Bytwointhemorningourshroudswerethrumminginapipingbreeze,andIgotupandgavehermorescopeonherhawser.Insideanotherhourtherewasnodoubtthatwewereinforasoutheaster.
Itisnotnicetoleaveawarmbedandgetoutofabadanchorageinablackblowynight,butwearosetotheoccasion,putintworeefs,andstartedtoheaveup.Thewinchwasold,andthestrainofthejumpingheadseawastoomuchforit.Withthewinchoutofcommission,itwasimpossibletoheaveupbyhand.Weknew,becausewetrieditandslaughteredourhands.Nowasailorhatestoloseananchor.Itisamatterofpride.Ofcourse,wecouldhavebuoyedoursandslippedit.Instead,however,Igaveher
stillmorehawser,veeredher,anddroppedthesecondanchor.
Therewaslittlesleepafterthat,forfirstoneandthentheotherofuswouldberolledoutofourbunks.Theincreasingsizeoftheseastoldusweweredragging,andwhenwestruckthescouredchannelwecouldtellbythefeelofitthatourtwoanchorswerefairlyskatingacross.Itwasadeepchannel,thefartheredgeofitrisingsteeplylikethewallofacanyon,andwhenouranchorsstartedupthatwalltheyhitinandheld.
Yet,whenwefetchedup,throughthedarknesswecouldheartheseasbreakingonthesolidshoreastern,andsonearwasitthatweshortenedtheskiff'spainter.
Daylightshowedusthatbetweenthesternoftheskiffanddestructionwasnomorethanascoreoffeet.Andhowitdidblow!Thereweretimes,inthegusts,whenthewindmusthaveapproachedavelocityofseventyoreightymilesanhour.Buttheanchorsheld,andsonoblythatourfinalanxietywasthatthefor'ardbittswouldbejerkedcleanoutoftheboat.Alldaythesloopalternatelyduckedhernoseunderandsatdownonherstern;anditwasnottilllateafternoonthatthestormbrokeinonelastandworstmadgust.Forafullfiveminutesanabsolutedeadcalmprevailed,andthen,withthesuddennessofathunderclap,thewindsnortedoutofthesouthwest--ashiftofeightpointsandaboisterousgale.Anothernightofitwastoomuchforus,and
wehoveupbyhandinacrosshead-sea.Itwasnotstiffwork.Itwasheart-breaking.AndIknowwewerebothneartocryingfromthehurtandtheexhaustion.Andwhenwedidgetthefirstanchorup-and-downwecouldn'tbreakitout.Betweenseaswesnubbedhernosedowntoit,tookplentyofturns,andstoodclearasshejumped.Almosteverythingsmashedandpartedexcepttheanchor-hold.Thechockswerejerkedout,therailtornoff,andtheverycovering-boardsplintered,andstilltheanchorheld.Atlast,hoistingthereefedmain-sailandslackingoffafewofthehard-wonfeetofthechain,wesailedtheanchorout.Itwasnip
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 18/67
andtuck,though,andthereweretimeswhentheboatwasknockeddownflat.Werepeatedthemanoeuvrewiththeremaininganchor,andinthegatheringdarknessfledintotheshelteroftheriver'smouth.
IwasbornsolongagothatIgrewupbeforetheeraofgasolene.Asaresult,Iamold-fashioned.Ipreferasail-boattoamotor-boat,anditismybeliefthatboat-sailingisafiner,moredifficult,andsturdierartthanrunningamotor.Gasoleneenginesarebecomingfool-proof,andwhileitisunfairtosaythatanyfoolcanrunanengine,itisfairtosaythatalmostanyonecan.Notso,whenitcomestosailingaboat.Moreskill,moreintelligence,andavastdealmoretrainingarenecessary.Itisthefinesttrainingintheworldforboyandyouthandman.Iftheboyisverysmall,equiphimwithasmall,comfortableskiff.Hewilldotherest.Hewon'tneedtobetaught.Shortlyhewillbesettingatinyleg-of-muttonandsteeringwithanoar.Thenhewillbegintotalkkeelsandcentreboardsandwanttotakehisblanketsoutandstopaboardallnight.
Butdon'tbeafraidforhim.Heisboundtorunrisksandencounteraccidents.Remember,thereareaccidentsinthenurseryaswellasoutonthewater.Moreboyshavediedfromhot-houseculturethanhavediedonboatslargeandsmall;andmoreboys
havebeenmadeintostrongandreliantmenbyboat-sailingthanbylawn-croquetanddancing-school.
Andonceasailor,alwaysasailor.Thesavourofthesaltneverstales.Thesailornevergrowssooldthathedoesnotcaretogobackforonemorewrestlingboutwithwindandwave.Iknowitofmyself.Ihaveturnedrancher,andlivebeyondsightofthesea.YetIcanstayawayfromitonlysolong.Afterseveralmonthshavepassed,Ibegintogrowrestless.Ifindmyselfday-dreamingoverincidentsofthelastcruise,orwonderingifthestripedbassarerunningonWingoSlough,oreagerlyreadingthenewspapersforreportsofthefirstnorthernflightsofducks.Andthen,suddenly,thereisahurriedpackofsuit-casesand
overhaulingofgear,andweareoffforVallejowherethelittleRoamerlies,waiting,alwayswaiting,fortheskifftocomealongside,forthelightingofthefireinthegalley-stove,forthepullingoffofgaskets,theswingingupofthemainsail,andtherat-tat-tatofthereef-points,fortheheavingshortandthebreakingout,andforthetwirlingofthewheelasshefillsawayandheadsupBayordown.
JACKLONDONOnBoardRoamer,SonomaCreek,April15,1911
FOURHORSESANDASAILOR
"Huh!Drivefourhorses!Iwouldn'tsitbehindyou--notforathousanddollars--overthemmountainroads."
SosaidHenry,andheoughttohaveknown,forhedrivesfour
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 19/67
horseshimself.
SaidanotherGlenEllenfriend:"What?London?Hedrivefourhorses?Can'tdriveone!"
Andthebestofitisthathewasright.Evenaftermanagingtogetafewhundredmileswithmyfourhorses,Idon'tknowhowtodriveone.Justtheotherday,swingingdownasteepmountainroadandroundinganabruptturn,Icamefulltiltonahorseandbuggybeingdrivenbyawomanupthehill.Wecouldnotpassonthenarrowroad,wherewasonlyafoottospare,andmyhorsesdidnotknowhowtoback,especiallyup-hill.Abouttwohundredyardsdownthehillwasaspotwherewecouldpass.Thedriverofthebuggysaidshedidn'tdarebackdownbecauseshewasnotsureofthebrake.AndasIdidn'tknowhowtotackleonehorse,Ididn'ttryit.Soweunhitchedherhorseandbackeddownbyhand.Whichwasverywell,tillitcametohitchingthehorsetothebuggyagain.Shedidn'tknowhow.Ididn'teither,andIhaddependedonherknowledge.Ittookusabouthalfanhour,withfrequentdebatesandconsultations,thoughitisanabsolutecertaintythatneverinitslifewasthathorsehitchedinthatparticularway.
No;Ican'tharnessuponehorse.ButIcanfour,whichcompelsmetobackupagaintogettomybeginning.Havingselected
SonomaValleyforourabidingplace,CharmianandIdecideditwasabouttimeweknewwhatwehadinourowncountyandtheneighbouringones.Howtodoit,wasthefirstquestion.Amongourmanyweaknessesistheoneofbeingold-fashioned.Wedon'tmixwithgasoleneverywell.And,astruesailorsshould,wenaturallygravitatetowardhorses.Beingoneofthoseluckyindividualswhocarrieshisofficeunderhishat,Ishouldhavetotakeatypewriterandaloadofbooksalong.Thisputsaddle-horsesoutoftherunning.Charmiansuggesteddrivingaspan.Shehadfaithinme;besides,shecoulddriveaspanherself.ButwhenIthoughtofthemanymountainstocross,andofcrossingthemforthreemonthswithapoortiredspan,Ivetoedthepropositionandsaidwe'dhavetocomebacktogasoleneafterall.
Thisshevetoedjustasemphatically,andadeadlockobtaineduntilIreceivedinspiration.
"Whynotdrivefourhorses?"Isaid.
"Butyoudon'tknowhowtodrivefourhorses,"washerobjection.
Ithrewmychestoutandmyshouldersback."Whatmanhasdone,Icando,"Iproclaimedgrandly."Andpleasedon'tforgetthatwhenwesailedontheSnarkIknewnothingofnavigation,andthatItaughtmyselfasIsailed."
"Verywell,"shesaid.(Andthere'sfaithforyou!)"Theyshall
befoursaddlehorses,andwe'llstrapoursaddlesonbehindtherig."
Itwasmyturntoobject."Oursaddlehorsesarenotbrokentoharness."
"Thenbreakthem."
AndwhatIknewabouthorses,muchlessaboutbreakingthem,wasjustaboutasmuchasanysailorknows.Havingbeenkicked,
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 20/67
buckedoff,fallenoverbackwardupon,andthrownoutandrunover,onverynumerousoccasions,Ihadamightyvigorousrespectforhorses;butawife'sfaithmustbelivedupto,andIwentatit.
KingwasapoloponyfromSt.Louis,andPrinceamany-gaitedlove-horsefromPasadena.Thehardestthingwastogetthemtodiginandpull.Theyrollickedalongonthelevelsandgallopeddownthehills,butwhentheystruckanup-gradeandfelttheweightofthebreaking-cart,theystoppedandturnedaroundandlookedatme.ButIpassedthem,andmytroublesbegan.Mildawasfourteenyearsold,anunadulteratedbroncho,andintemperamentwasacombinationofmuleandjack-rabbitblendedequally.Ifyoupressedyourhandonherflankandtoldhertogetover,shelaydownonyou.Ifyougotherbytheheadandtoldhertoback,shewalkedforwardoveryou.Andifyougotbehindherandshovedandtoldherto"Giddap!"shesatdownonyou.Also,shewouldn'twalk.ForendlesswearymilesIstrovewithher,butnevercouldIgethertowalkastep.Finally,shewasamanger-glutton.Nomatterhownearorfarfromthestable,whensixo'clockcamearoundsheboltedforhomeandnevermissedthedirectestcross-road.ManytimesIrejectedher.
ThefourthandmostrejectedhorseofallwastheOutlaw.From
theageofthreetosevenshehaddefiedallhorse-breakersandbrokenanumberofthem.Thenalong,lankycowboy,withafifty-poundsaddleandaMexicanbithadgotherproudgoat.Iwasthenextowner.Shewasmyfavouriteridinghorse.CharmiansaidI'dhavetoputherinasawheelerwhereIwouldhavemorecontroloverher.NowCharmianhadafavouriteridingmarecalledMaid.IsuggestedMaidasasubstitute.Charmianpointedoutthatmymarewasabrandedrangehorse,whileherswasanear-thoroughbred,andthatthelegsofhermarewouldberuinedforeverifsheweredrivenforthreemonths.Iacknowledgedhermare'sthoroughbredness,andatthesametimedefiedhertofindanythoroughbredwithassmallanddelicately-viciouslypointedearsasmyOutlaw.SheindicatedMaid'sexquisitelythin
shinbone.ImeasuredtheOutlaw's.Itwasequallythin,although,Iinsinuated,possiblymoredurable.ThisstabbedCharmian'spride.Ofcoursehernear-thoroughbredMaid,carryingthebloodof"old"Lexington,Morella,andastreakofthesuper-enduringMorgan,couldrun,walk,andworkmyunregisteredOutlawintotheground;andthatwastheveryprecisereasonwhysuchaparagonofasaddleanimalshouldnotbedegradedbyharness.
SoitwasthatCharmianremainedobdurate,until,oneday,IgotherbehindtheOutlawforaforty-miledrive.ForeveryinchofthosefortymilestheOutlawkickedandjumped,inbetweenthekicksandjumpsfindingtimeandspaceinwhichtoseizeitsteam-matebythebackoftheneckandattempttodragittotheground.
AnothertricktheOutlawdevelopedduringthatdrivewassuddenlytoturnatrightanglesinthetracesandendeavourtobuttitsteam-mateoverthegrade.ReluctantlyandnoblydidCharmiangiveinandconsenttotheuseofMaid.TheOutlaw'sshoeswerepulledoff,andshewasturnedoutonrange.
Finally,thefourhorseswerehookedtotherig--alightStudebakertrap.Withtwohoursandahalfofpractice,inwhichtheexcitementwasnotabatedbyseveraljack-polesandnumerouskickingmatches,Iannouncedmyselfasreadyforthestart.Came
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 21/67
themorning,andPrince,whowastohavebeenawheelerwithMaid,showedupwithabadlykickedshoulder.Hedidnotexactlyshowup;wehadtofindhim,forhewasunabletowalk.Hislegswelledandcontinuallyswelledduringtheseveraldayswewaitedforhim.RemainedonlytheOutlaw.Infrompastureshecame,shoeswerenailedon,andshewasharnessedintothewheel.Friendsandrelativesstrovetopressaccidentpoliciesonme,butCharmianclimbedupalongside,andNakatagotintotherearseatwiththetypewriter--Nakata,whosailedcabin-boyontheSnarkfortwoyearsandwhohadshownhimselfafraidofnothing,notevenofmeandmyamateurjamboreesinexperimentingwithnewmodesoflocomotion.Andwedidverynicely,thankyou,especiallyafterthefirsthourorso,duringwhichtimetheOutlawhadkickedaboutfiftyvarioustimes,chieflytothedamageofherownlegsandthepaintwork,andaftershehadbittenacoupleofhundredtimes,tothedamageofMaid'sneckandCharmian'stemper.Itwashardenoughtohaveherfavouritemareintheharnesswithoutalsoenduringthespectacleofitsbeingeatenalive.
Ourleaderswerejoys.KingbeingapoloponyandMildaarabbit,theyroundedcurvesbeautifullyanddartedaheadlikecoyotesoutofthewayofthewheelers.Milda'sbesettingweaknesswasafranticdesirenottohavethelead-barstrikeherhocks.Whenthishappened,oneofthreethingsoccurred:eithershesatdown
onthelead-bar,kickeditupintheairuntilshegotherbackunderit,orexplodedinastraight-ahead,harness-disruptingjump.Notuntilshecarriedthelead-barcleanawayanddancedabreak-downonitandthetraces,didshebehavedecently.NakataandImadetherepairswithgoodold-fashionedbale-rope,whichisstrongerthanwrought-ironanytime,andwewentonourway.
InthemeantimeIwaslearning--Ishallnotsaytotoolafour-in-hand--butjustsimplytodrivefourhorses.Nowitisallrightenoughtobeginwithfourwork-horsespullingaloadofseveraltons.Buttobeginwithfourlighthorses,allrunning,andalightrigthatseemstooutrunthem--well,whenthingshappentheyhappenquickly.Myweaknesswastotalignorance.Inparticular,
myfingerslackedtraining,andImadethemistakeofdependingonmyeyestohandlethereins.Thisbroughtmeupagainstadisastrousopticalillusion.Thebightoftheoffhead-line,beinglongerandheavierthanthatoftheoffwheel-line,hunglower.Inamomentrequiringquickaction,Iinvariablymistookthetwolines.PullingonwhatIthoughtwasthewheel-line,inordertostraightentheteam,Iwouldseetheleadersswingabruptlyaroundintoajack-pole.Nowforsensationsofsheerimpotence,nothingcancomparewithajack-pole,whenthehorrifieddriverbeholdshisleadersprancinggailyuptheroadandhiswheelersjoggingsteadilydowntheroad,allatthesametimeandallharnessedtogetherandtothesamerig.
Inolongerjack-pole,andIdon'tmindadmittinghowIgotoutofthehabit.Itwasmyeyesthatenslavedmyfingersintoillpractices.SoIshutmyeyesandletthefingersgoitalone.To-daymyfingersareindependentofmyeyesandworkautomatically.Idonotseewhatmyfingersdo.Theyjustdoit.AllIseeisthesatisfactoryresult.
Stillwemanagedtogetoverthegroundthatfirstday--downsunnySonomaValleytotheoldtownofSonoma,foundedbyGeneralVallejoastheremotestoutpostonthenorthernfrontierforthe
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 22/67
purposeofholdingbacktheGentiles,asthewildIndiansofthosedayswerecalled.Herehistorywasmade.HerethelastSpanishmissionwasreared;heretheBearflagwasraised;andhereKitCarson,andFremont,andallourearlyadventurerscameandrestedinthedaysbeforethedaysofgold.
Weswungonoverthelow,rollinghills,throughmilesofdairyfarmsandchickenrancheswhereeveryblessedheniswhite,anddowntheslopestoPetalumaValley.Here,in1776,CaptainQuiroscameupPetalumaCreekfromSanPabloBayinquestofanoutlettoBodegaBayonthecoast.Andhere,later,theRussians,withAlaskanhunters,carriedskinboatsacrossfromFortRosstopoachforsea-ottersontheSpanishpreserveofSanFranciscoBay.Here,too,stilllater,GeneralVallejobuiltafort,whichstillstands--oneofthefinestexamplesofSpanishadobethatremaintous.Andhere,attheoldfort,tobringthechronicleuptodate,ourhorsesproceededtomakepeculiarlypersonalhistorywithastonishingsuccessanddispatch.King,ourpeerless,polo-ponyleader,wentlame.Sohopelesslylamedidhegothatnoexpert,thenandafterward,coulddeterminewhetherthelamenesswasinhisfrogs,hoofs,legs,shoulders,orhead.Maidpickedupanailandbegantolimp.Milda,figuringthedayalreadysufficientlyspentandmaniacalwithmanger-gluttony,begantorabbit-jump.Allthatheldherwasthebale-rope.AndtheOutlaw,gametothe
last,exceededallpreviousexhibitionsofskin-removing,paint-marring,andhorse-eating.
AtPetalumawerestedoverwhileKingwasreturnedtotheranchandPrincesenttous.NowPrincehadprovedhimselfanexcellentwheeler,yethehadtogointotheleadandlettheOutlawretainhisoldplace.Thereisanaxiomthatagoodwheelerisapoorleader.Iobjecttothelastadjective.Agoodwheelermakesaninfinitelyworsekindofaleaderthanthat.Iknow...now.Ioughttoknow.SincethatdayIhavedrivenPrinceafewhundredmilesinthelead.Heisneitheranybetternoranyworsethanthefirstmileheraninthelead;andhisworstisevenextremelyworsethanwhatyouarethinking.Notthatheisvicious.Heis
merelyagood-naturedroguewhoshakeshandsforsugar,stepsonyourtoesoutofsheerexcessivefriendliness,andjustgoesonlovingyouinyourharshestmoments.
Buthewon'tgetoutoftheway.Also,wheneverheisreprovedforbeinginthewrong,heaccusesMildaofitandbitesthebackofherneck.SobadhasthisbecomethatwheneverIyell"Prince!"inaloudvoice,Mildaimmediatelyrabbit-jumpstotheside,straightahead,orsitsdownonthelead-bar.Allofwhichisquitedisconcerting.Pictureityourself.Youareswingingroundasharp,down-grade,mountaincurve,atafasttrot.Therockwallistheoutsideofthecurve.Theinsideofthecurveisaprecipice.Thecontinuanceofthecurveisanarrow,unrailed
bridge.Youhitthecurve,throwingtheleadersinagainstthewallandmakingthepolo-horsedothework.Allislovely.Theleadersarehuggingthewalllikenestlingdoves.Butthemomentcomesintheevolutionwhentheleadersmustshootoutahead.Theyreallymustshoot,orelsethey'llhitthewallandmissthebridge.Also,behindthemarethewheelers,andtherig,andyouhavejusteasedthebrakeinordertoputsufficientsnapintothemanoeuvre.Ifeverteam-workisrequired,nowisthetime.Mildatriestoshoot.Shedoesherbest,butPrince,bubblingoverwithroguishness,lagsbehind.Heknowsthetrick.Mildaishalfa
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 23/67
lengthaheadofhim.Hetimesittothefractionofasecond.Maid,inthewheel,over-runninghim,naturallybiteshim.ThisdisturbstheOutlaw,whohasbeenbehavingbeautifully,andsheimmediatelyreachesacrossforMaid.Simultaneously,withafinedisplayoffirmconvictionthatit'sallMilda'sfault,PrincesinkshisteethintothebackofMilda'sdefencelessneck.Thewholethinghasoccurredinlessthanasecond.Underthesurpriseandpainofthebite,Mildaeitherjumpsaheadtotheimminentperilofharnessandlead-bar,orsmashesintothewall,stopsshortwiththelead-baroverherback,andemitsacoupleofhystericalkicks.TheOutlawinvariablyselectsthismomenttoremovepaint.Andafterthingsareuntangledandyouhavehadtimetoappreciatethecloseshave,yougouptoPrinceandreprovehimwithyourchoicestvocabulary.AndPrince,gazelle-eyedandtender,offerstoshakehandswithyouforsugar.Ileaveittoanyone:aboatwouldneveractthatway.
WehavesomehistorynorthoftheBay.Nearlythreecenturiesandahalfago,thatdoughtypirateandexplorer,SirFrancisDrake,combingthePacificforSpanishgalleons,anchoredinthebightformedbyPointReyes,onwhichto-dayisoneoftherichestdairyregionsintheworld.Here,lessthantwodecadesafterDrake,SebastienCarmenonpiledupontherockswithasilk-ladengalleonfromthePhilippines.AndinthissamebayofDrake,long
afterward,theRussianfur-poachersrendezvous'dtheirbidarkasandstoleinthroughtheGoldenGatetotheforbiddenwatersofSanFranciscoBay.
Fartherupthecoast,inSonomaCounty,wepilgrimagedtothesitesoftheRussiansettlements.AtBodegaBay,southofwhatto-dayiscalledRussianRiver,wastheiranchorage,whilenorthoftherivertheybuilttheirfort.AndmuchofFortRossstillstands.Log-bastions,church,andstablesholdtheirown,andsowell,withrustyhingescreaking,thatwewarmedourselvesatthehundred-years-olddoublefireplaceandsleptunderthehand-hewnroofbeamsstillheldtogetherbyspikesofhand-wroughtiron.
Wewenttoseewherehistoryhadbeenmade,andwesawsceneryaswell.Oneofourstretchesinaday'sdrivewasfrombeautifulInvernessonTomalesBay,downtheOlemaValleytoBolinasBay,alongtheeasternshoreofthatbodyofwatertoWillowCamp,andupoverthesea-bluffs,aroundthebastionsofTamalpais,anddowntoSausalito.FromtheheadofBolinasBaytoWillowCampthedriveontheedgeofthebeach,andactually,forhalf-milestretches,inthewatersofthebayitself,wasadelightfulexperience.Thewonderfulpartwastocome.VeryfewSanFranciscans,muchlessCalifornians,knowofthatdrivefromWillowCamp,tothesouthandeast,alongthepoppy-blowncliffs,withtheseathunderinginthesheerdepthshundredsoffeetbelowandtheGoldenGateopeningupahead,disclosingsmokySan
Franciscoonhermanyhills.Faroff,blurredonthebreastofthesea,canbeseentheFarallones,whichSirFrancisDrakepassedonaS.W.courseinthethickofwhathedescribesasa"stynkingfog."Wellmighthecallitthat,andafewothernames,foritwasthefogthatrobbedhimofthegloryofdiscoveringSanFranciscoBay.
ItwasonthispartofthedrivethatIdecidedatlastIwaslearningrealmountain-driving.Toconfessthetruth,fordelicioustitillationofone'snerve,Ihavesincedrivenoverno
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 24/67
mountainroadthatwasworse,orbetter,rather,thanthatpiece.
Andthenthecontrast!FromSausalito,overexcellent,park-likeboulevards,throughthesplendidredwoodsandhomesofMillValley,acrosstheblossomedhillsofMarinCounty,alongtheknoll-studdedpicturesquemarshes,pastSanRafaelrestingwarmlyamongherhills,overthedivideandupthePetalumaValley,andontothegrassyfeetofSonomaMountainandhome.Wecoveredfifty-fivemilesthatday.Notsobad,eh,forPrincetheRogue,thepaint-removingOutlaw,thethin-shankedthoroughbred,andtherabbit-jumper?Andtheycameincoolanddry,readyfortheirmangersandthestraw.
Oh,wedidn'tstop.Weconsideredwewerejuststarting,andthatwasmanyweeksago.Wehavekeptongoingoversixcountieswhicharecomfortablylarge,evenforCalifornia,andwearestillgoing.Wehavetwistedandtabled,criss-crossedourtracks,madefascinatingandlengthydivesintotheinteriorvalleysintheheartsofNapaandLakeCounties,travelledthecoastforhundredsofmilesonend,andarenowinEureka,onHumboldtBay,whichwasdiscoveredbyaccidentbythegold-seekers,whoweretryingtofindtheirwaytoandfromtheTrinitydiggings.Evenhere,thewhiteman'shistoryprecededthem,fordimtraditionsaysthattheRussiansonceanchoredhereandhuntedsea-otterbeforethefirst
YankeetraderroundedtheHorn,orthefirstRockyMountaintrapperthirstedacrossthe"GreatAmericanDesert"andtrickleddownthesnowySierrastothesun-kissedland.No;wearenotrestingourhorseshereonHumboldtBay.Wearewritingthisarticle,gorgingonabalonesandmussels,diggingclams,andcatchingrecord-breakingsea-troutandrock-codintheintervalsinwhichwearenotsailing,motor-boating,andswimminginthemosttemperatelyequableclimatewehaveeverexperienced.
Thesecomfortablylargecounties!Theyareveritableempires.TakeHumboldt,forinstance.ItisthreetimesaslargeasRhodeIsland,oneandahalftimesaslargeasDelaware,almostaslargeasConnecticut,andhalfaslargeasMassachusetts.Thepioneer
hasdonehisworkinthisnorthofthebayregion,thefoundationsarelaid,andallisreadyfortheinevitableinrushofpopulationandadequatedevelopmentofresourceswhichsofarhavebeennomorethanskimmed,andcasuallyandcarelesslyskimmedatthat.Thisregionofthesixcountiesalonewillsomedaysupportapopulationofmillions.Inthemeanwhile,Oyouhome-seekers,youwealth-seekers,and,aboveall,youclimate-seekers,nowisthetimetogetinonthegroundfloor.
RobertIngersolloncesaidthatthegenialclimateofCaliforniawouldinafairlybrieftimeevolvearaceresemblingtheMexicans,andthatintwoorthreegenerationstheCalifornianswouldbeseenofaSundaymorningontheirwaytoacockfightwith
aroosterundereacharm.Neverwasmadearashergeneralisation,basedonsoabsoluteanignoranceoffacts.Itistolaugh.Hereisaclimatethatbreedsvigour,withjustsufficientgenialitytopreventtheexpenditureofmostofthatvigourinfightingtheelements.Hereisaclimatewhereamancanworkthreehundredandsixty-fivedaysintheyearwithouttheslightesthintofenervation,andwhereforthreehundredandsixty-fivenightshemustperforcesleepunderblankets.Whatmorecanonesay?Iconsidermyselfsomewhatofclimateexpert,havingadventuredamongmostoftheclimatesoffiveoutofthesixzones.Ihave
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 25/67
notyetbeenintheAntarctic,butwhateverclimateobtainstherewillnotdetermefromdrawingtheconclusionthatnowhereisthereaclimatetocomparewiththatofthisregion.MaybeIamaswrongasIngersollwas.NeverthelessItakemymedicinebycontinuingtoliveinthisclimate.Also,itistheonlymedicineIevertake.
Buttoreturntothehorses.Thereissomeimprovement.Mildahasactuallylearnedtowalk.Maidhasprovedherthoroughbrednessbynevertiringonthelongestdays,and,whilebeingthestrongestandhighestspiritedofall,bynevercausinganytroublesaveforanoccasionalkickattheOutlaw.AndtheOutlawrarelygallops,nolongerbutts,onlyperiodicallykicks,comesintothepoleanddoesherworkwithoutattemptingtovivisectMaid'smedullaoblongata,and--marvelofmarvels--isreallyandtrulygettinglazy.ButPrinceremainsthesameincorrigible,lovingandlovableroguehehasalwaysbeen.
Andthecountrywe'vebeenover!ThedrivesthroughNapaandLakeCounties!One,fromSonomaValley,viaSantaRosa,wecouldnotrefrainfromtakingseveralways,andonallthewayswefoundtheroadsexcellentformachinesaswellashorses.Oneroute,andamoredelightfuloneforanautomobilecannotbefound,isoutfromSantaRosa,pastoldAltruriaandMarkWestSprings,thentothe
rightandacrosstoCalistogainNapaValley.Bykeepingtotheleft,thedriveholdsonuptheRussianRiverValley,throughthemilesofthenotedAstiVineyardstoCloverdale,andthenbywayofPieta,Witter,andHighlandSpringstoLakeport.Stillanotherwaywetook,wasdownSonomaValley,skirtingSanPabloBay,andupthelovelyNapaValley.FromNapaweresideexcursionsthroughPopeandBerryessaValleys,ontoAEtnaSprings,andstillon,intoLakeCounty,crossingthefamousLangtryRanch.
ContinuinguptheNapaValley,walledoneitherhandbygreatrockpalisadesandredwoodforestsandcarpetedwithendlessvineyards,andcrossingthemanystonebridgesforwhichtheCountyisnotedandwhichareajoytothebeauty-lovingeyesaswellastothe
four-horsetyrodriver,pastCalistogawithitsoldmud-bathsandchicken-soupsprings,withSt.Helenaanditsgiantsaddleevertoweringbeforeus,weclimbedthemountainsonagoodgradeanddroppeddownpastthequicksilverminestothecanyonoftheGeysers.Afterastopovernightandanexplorationoftheminiature-grandvolcanicscene,wepulledonacrossthecanyonandtookthegradewherethecicadassimmeredaudiblyinthenoonsunshineamongthehillsidemanzanitas.Then,higher,camethebigcattle-dotteduplandpastures,andtherockysummit.Andhereonthesummit,abruptly,wecaughtavision,orwhatseemedamirage.Theoceanwehadleftlongdaysbefore,yetfardownandawayshimmeredabluesea,framedonthefarthershorebyruggedmountains,onthenearshorebyfatandrollingfarmlands.Clear
Lakewasbeforeus,andlikepropersailorswereturnedtooursea,goingforasail,afish,andaswimerethedaywasdoneandturningintotiredLakeportblanketsintheearlyevening.WellhasLakeCountybeencalledtheWalled-inCounty.Buttherailroadiscoming.TheysaytheapproachwemadetoClearLakeissimilartotheapproachtoLakeLucerne.Bethatasitmay,thescenery,withitsdistantsnow-cappedpeaks,canwellbecalledAlpine.
AndwhatcanbemoreexquisitethanthedriveoutfromClearLake
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 26/67
toUkiahbywayoftheBlueLakeschain!--everyturnbringingintoviewapictureofbreathlessbeauty;everyglancebackwardrevealingsomeperfectcompositioninlineandcolour,theintenseblueofthewatermarginedwithsplendidoaks,greenfields,andswathsoforangepoppies.Butthosesideglancesandbackwardglanceswereprovocativeoftrouble.CharmianandIdisagreedastowhichwaytheconnectingstreamofwaterran.Westilldisagree,foratthehotel,wherewesubmittedtheaffairtoarbitration,thehotelmanagerandtheclerklikewisedisagreed.Iassume,now,thatweneverwillknowwhichwaythatstreamruns.Charmiansuggests"bothways."Irefusesuchacompromise.NostreamofwaterIeversawcouldaccomplishthatfeatatoneandthesametime.ThegreatestconcessionIcanmakeisthatsometimesitmayrunonewayandsometimestheother,andthatinthemeantimeweshouldbothconsultanoculist.
MorevalleyfromUkiahtoWillits,andthenweturnedwestwardthroughthevirginSherwoodForestofmagnificentredwood,stoppingatAlpineforthenightandcontinuingonthroughMendocinoCountytoFortBraggand"saltwater."WealsocametoFortBraggupthecoastfromFortRoss,keepingourcoastjourneyintactfromtheGoldenGate.Thecoastweatherwascoolanddelightful,thecoastdrivingsuperb.EspeciallyintheFortRosssectiondidwefindtheroadsthrilling,whileallthewayalong
wefollowedthesea.Ateverystream,theroadskirteddizzycliff-edges,diveddownintolushgrowthsofforestandfernsandclimbedoutalongthecliff-edgesagain.Thewaywaslinedwithflowers--wildlilac,wildroses,poppies,andlupins.Suchlupins!--giantclumpsofthem,ofeverylupin-shadeand-colour.AnditwasalongtheMendocinoroadsthatCharmiancausedmanydelaysbyinsistingongettingouttopickthewildblackberries,strawberries,andthimble-berrieswhichgrewsoprofusely.Andeverwecaughtpeeps,fardown,ofsteamschoonersloadinglumberintherockycoves;everweskirtedthecliffs,dayafterday,crossingstretchesofrollingfarmlandsandpassingthroughthrivingvillagesandsaw-milltowns.Memorablewasourlaunch-tripfromMendocinoCityupBigRiver,wherethesteeringgearsof
thelaunchesworkthereverseofanywhereelseintheworld;wherewesawastreamoflogs,ofsixtotwelveandfifteenfeetindiameter,whichfilledtheriverbedformilestotheobliterationofanysignofwater;andwhereweweretoldofawhiteoralbinoredwoodtree.Wedidnotseethislast,socannotvouchforit.
Allthestreamswerefilledwithtrout,andmorethanoncewesawtheside-hillsalmonontheslopes.No,side-hillsalmonisnotaperipateticfish;itisadeeroutofseason.Butthetrout!AtGualalaCharmiancaughtherfirstone.OncebeforeinmylifeIhadcaughttwo...onangleworms.OnoccasionIhadtriedflyandspinnerandnevergotastrike,andIhadcometobelievethatallthistalkoffly-fishingwasjustsomuchnature-faking.But
ontheGualalaRiverIcaughttrout--alotofthem--onflyandspinners;andIwasbeginningtofeelquiteanexpert,untilNakata,fishingonbottomwithapelletofbreadforbait,caughtthebiggesttroutofall.Inowaffirmthereisnothinginsciencenorinart.Nevertheless,sincethatdaypolesandbasketshavebeenaddedtoourbaggage,wetackleeverystreamwecometo,andwenolongerareabletorememberthegrandtotalofourcatch.
AtUsal,manyhillyandpicturesquemilesnorthofFortBragg,we
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 27/67
turnedagainintotheinteriorofMendocino,crossingtherangesandcomingoutinHumboldtCountyonthesouthforkofEelRiveratGarberville.Throughoutthetrip,fromMarinCountynorth,wehadbeenwarnedof"badroadsahead."Yetweneverfoundthosebadroads.Weseemedalwaystobejustaheadofthemorbehindthem.Thefartherwecamethebettertheroadsseemed,thoughthiswasprobablyduetothefactthatwewerelearningmoreandmorewhatfourhorsesandalightrigcoulddoonaroad.AndthusdoIsavemyfacewithallthecounties.Irefusetomakeinvidiousroadcomparisons.Icanaddthatwhile,saveinrareinstancesonsteeppitches,Ihavetrottedmyhorsesdownallthegrades,IhaveneverhadonehorsefalldownnorhaveIhadtosendtherigtoablacksmithshopforrepairs.
Also,Iamlearningtothrowleather.Ifanytyrothinksitiseasytotakeashort-handled,long-lashedwhip,andthrowtheendofthatlashjustwherehewantsit,lethimputonautomobilegogglesandtryit.Onreconsideration,Iwouldsuggestthesubstitutionofawirefencing-maskforthegoggles.FordaysIlookedatthatwhip.Itfascinatedme,andthefascinationwascomposedmostlyoffear.Atmyfirstattempt,CharmianandNakatabecameafflictedwiththesamesortoffascination,andforalongtimeafterward,whenevertheysawmereachforthewhip,theyclosedtheireyesandshieldedtheirheadswiththeirarms.
Here'stheproblem.Insteadofpullinghonestly,PrinceislaggingbackandmanoeuvringforabiteatMilda'sneck.Ihavefourreinsinmyhands.Imustputthesefourreinsintomylefthand,properlygatherthewhiphandleandthebightofthelashinmyrighthand,andthrowthatlashpastMaidwithoutstrikingherandintoPrince.IfthelashstrikesMaid,herthoroughbrednesswillgoupintheair,andI'llhaveacaseofhorsehysteriaonmyhandsforthenexthalfhour.Butfollow.Thewholeproblemisnotyetstated.SupposethatImissMaidandreachtheintendedtarget.Theinstantthelashcracks,thefourhorsesjump,Princemostofall,andhisjump,withspreadwickedteeth,isforthebackofMilda'sneck.Shejumpstoescape--whichis
hersecondjump,forthefirstonecamewhenthelashexploded.TheOutlawreachesforMaid'sneck,andMaid,whohasalreadyjumpedandtriedtobolt,triestoboltharder.AndallthisinfinitesimalfractionoftimeIamtryingtoholdthefouranimalswithmylefthand,whilemywhip-lash,writhingthroughtheair,iscomingbacktome.ThreesimultaneousthingsImustdo:keepholdofthefourreinswithmylefthand;slamonthebrakewithmyfoot;andonthereboundcatchthatflyinglashinthehollowofmyrightarmandgetthebightofitsafelyintomyrighthand.ThenImustgettwoofthefourlinesbackintomyrighthandandkeepthehorsesfromrunningawayorgoingoverthegrade.Tryitsometime.Youwillfindlifeanythingbutwearisome.Why,thefirsttimeIhitthemarkandmadethelash
goofflikearevolvershot,IwassoastoundedanddelightedthatIwasparalysed.Iforgottodoanyofthemultitudinousotherthings,tangledthewhiplashinMaid'sharness,andwasforcedtocalluponCharmianforassistance.Andnow,confession.Icarryafewpebbleshandy.They'regreatforreachingPrinceinatightplace.ButjustthesameI'mlearningthatwhipeveryday,andbeforeIgethomeIhopetodiscardthepebbles.AndaslongasIrelyonpebbles,Icannottruthfullyspeakofmyselfas"toolingafour-in-hand."
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 28/67
FromGarberville,whereweateeeltorepletionandgotacquaintedwiththeaborigines,wedrovedowntheEelRiverValleyfortwodaysthroughthemostunthinkablygloriousbodyofredwoodtimbertobeseenanywhereinCalifornia.FromDyervilleontoEureka,wecaughtglimpsesofrailroadconstructionandofgreatconcretebridgesinthecourseofbuilding,whichadvertisedthatatleastHumboldtCountywasgoingtobelinkedtotherestoftheworld.
Westillconsiderourtripisjustbegun.AssoonasthisismailedfromEureka,it'sheighho!forthehorsesandpullon.Weshallcontinueupthecoast,turninforHoopaReservationandthegoldmines,andshootdowntheTrinityandKlamathriversinIndiancanoestoRequa.Afterthat,weshallgoonthroughDelNorteCountyandintoOregon.Thetripsofarhasjustifiedusintakingtheattitudethatwewon'tgohomeuntilthewinterrainsdriveusin.And,finally,IamgoingtotrytheexperimentofputtingtheOutlawintheleadandrelegatingPrincetohisoldpositioninthenearwheel.Iwon'tneedanypebblesthen.
NOTHINGTHATEVERCAMETOANYTHING
ItwasatQuito,themountaincapitalofEcuador,thatthefollowingpassageatcorrespondencetookplace.Havingoccasiontobuyapairofshoesinashopsixfeetbyeightinsizeandwithwallsthreefeetthick,Inoticedamangyleopardskinonthefloor.IhadnoSpanish.Theshop-keeperhadnoEnglish.ButIwasanadeptatsignlanguage.IwantedtoknowwhereIshouldgotobuyleopardskins.Onmyscribble-padIdrewtheinterestingstreetsofacity.ThenIdrewasmallshop,which,aftermucheffort,Ipersuadedtheproprietorintorecognisingashisshop.Next,Iindicatedinmydrawingthatonthemanystreetsthereweremanyshops.And,finally,Imademyselfintoalivinginterrogationmark,pointingallthewhilefromthemangyleopard
skintothemanyshopsIhadsketched.
Buttheproprietorfailedtofollowme.Sodidhisassistant.Thestreetcameintohelp--thatis,asmanyascouldcrowdintothesix-by-eightshop;whilethosethatcouldnotforcetheirwayinheldanoverflowmeetingonthesidewalk.Theproprietorandtheresttookturnsattalkingtomeinrapid-fireSpanish,and,fromtheexpressionsontheirfaces,allconcludedthatIwasremarkablystupid.AgainIwentthroughmyprogramme,pointingonthesketchfromtheoneshoptothemanyshops,pointingoutthatinthisparticularshopwasoneleopardskin,andthenquestinginterrogativelywithmypencilamongalltheshops.Allregardedmeinblanksilence,untilIsawcomprehensionsuddenlydawnon
thefaceofasmallboy.
"Tigresmontanya!"hecried.
Thisappealedtomeasmountaintigers,namely,leopards;andintokenthatheunderstood,theboymadesignsformetofollowhim,whichIobeyed.Heledmeforaquarterofamile,andpausedbeforethedoorwayofalargebuildingwheresoldiersslouchedonsentrydutyandinandoutofwhichwentothersoldiers.Motioningformetoremain,heraninside.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 29/67
Fifteenminuteslaterhewasoutagain,withoutleopardskins,butfullofinformation.Bymeansofmycard,ofmyhotelcard,ofmywatch,andoftheboy'sfingers,Ilearnedthefollowing:thatatsixo'clockthateveninghewouldarriveatmyhotelwithtenleopardskinsformyinspection.Further,IlearnedthattheskinswerethepropertyofoneCaptainErnestoBecucci.Also,Ilearnedthattheboy'snamewasEliceo.
Theboywasprompt.Atsixo'clockhewasatmyroom.Inhishandwasasmallrolladdressedtome.OnopeningitIfoundittobemanuscriptpianomusic,theHoraTranquilaValse,or"TranquilHourWaltz,"byErnestoBecucci.Icameforleopardskins,thoughtI,andtheownersendsmesheetmusicinstead.Buttheboyassuredmethathewouldhavetheskinsatthehotelatninenextmorning,andIentrustedtohimthefollowingletterofacknowledgment:
"DEARCAPTAINBECUCCI:
"AthousandthanksforyourkindpresentationofHoraTranquilaValse.Mrs.Londonwillplayitformethisevening.
Sincerelyyours,
"JackLondon."
NextmorningEliceowasback,butwithouttheskins.Instead,hegavemealetter,writteninSpanish,ofwhichthefollowingisafreetranslation:
"Tomydearestandalwaysappreciatedfriend,Isubmitmyself-
"DEARSIR:
"Isentyoulastnightanofferingbythebearerofthisnote,andyoureturnedmealetterwhichItranslated.
"Beitknowntoyou,sir,thatIamgivingthiswaltzawayinthebestsociety,andthereforetoyourhonouredself.Thereforeitisbeholdentoyoutorecognisetheattention,Imeanbyatangiblereturn,asthiscompositionwasmadebymyself.Youwillthereforesendbyyourhumbleservant,thebearer,anyoffering,howeverminute,thatyoumaybepromptedtomake.Senditundercoverofanenvelope.Thebearermaybetrusted.
"Ididnotindulgeinthepleasureofvisitingyourhonourable
selfthismorning,asIfindmybodynottobeenjoyingthenormalexerciseofitsfunctions.
"Asregardstheskinsfromthemountain,youshallbewaitedonbyasmallboyatseveno'clockatnightwithtenskinsfromwhichyoumayselectthosewhichmostsatisfyyouraspirations.
"Inthehopethatyouwilllookuponthisinthesamelightasmyself,Ibegtobeallowedtoremain,
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 30/67
"Yourmostfaithfulservant,
"CAPTAINERNESTOBECUCCI."
Well,thoughtI,thisCaptainErnestoBecuccihasshownhimselftobesuchanundependableperson,that,whileIdon'tmindrewardinghimforhiscomposition,IfearmeifIdoInevershalllayeyesonthoseleopardskins.SotoEliceoIgavethisletterfortheCaptain:
"MYDEARCAPTAINBECUCCI:
"Havetheboybringtheskinsatseveno'clockthisevening,whenIshallbegladtolookatthem.Thiseveningwhentheboybringstheskins,Ishallbepleasedtogivehim,inanenvelope,foryou,atangiblereturnforyourmusicalcomposition.
"Pleaseputthepriceoneachskin,andalsoletmeknowforwhatsumalltheskinswillselltogether.
"Sincerelyyours,
"JACKLONDON."
Now,thoughtI,Ihavehim.Noskins,notangiblereturn;andevidentlyheissetonreceivingthattangiblereturn.
Atseveno'clockEliceowasback,butwithoutleopardskins.Hehandedmethisletter:
"SENORLONDON:
"IwishtoinstilinyouthebeliefthatIlostto-day,athalf
pastthreeintheafternoon,thekeytomycubicle.WhiledistributingrationstothesoldiersIdroppedit.IseeinthislosstheactofGod.
"Ireceivedaletterfromyourhonourableself,deliveredbytheonewhobearsyouthispoorresponseofmine.To-morrowIwillburstopenthedoortopermitmetokeepmywordwithyou.Ifeelmyselfeternallyshamednottobeabletodominatetheevilsthatafflictcolonialmankind.Pleasesendmethetriflethatyouofferedme.Sendmethisproofofyourappreciationbythebearer,whoistobetrusted.Alsogivetohimasmallsumofmoneyforhimself,andearntheundyinggratitudeof
Yourmostfaithfulservant,
"CAPTAINERNESTOBECUCCI."
Also,inclosedintheforegoingletterwasthefollowingoriginalpoem,eproposneitherofleopardskinsnortangiblereturns,sofarasIcanmakeout:
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 31/67
EFFUSION
Thoucanstnotweep;NoraskIforayearToridmeofmywoesOrmakemylifemoredear.
ThemysticchainsthatboundThyall-fondhearttomine,Alas!asunderedareFornowandforalltime.
Invainyoustrovetohide,Fromvulgargazeofman,TheburningglanceofloveThatnonebutLovecanscan.
GoonthystarlitwayAndleavemetomyfate;Oursoulsmustneedsunite-But,God!'twillbetoolate.
ToallandsundryofwhichIreplied:
"MYDEARCAPTAINBECUCCI:
"IregretexceedinglytohearthatbyactofGod,athalfpastthreethisafternoon,youlostthekeytoyourcubicle.Pleasehavetheboybringtheskinsatseveno'clockto-morrowmorning,atwhichtime,whenhebringstheskins,Ishallbegladtomakeyouthattangiblereturnforyour"TranquilHourWaltz."
"Sincerelyyours,
"JACKLONDON."
Atseveno'clockcamenoskins,butthefollowing:
"SIR:
"Afterofferingyoumymostsincererespects,Ibegtocontinuebytellingyouthatnoone,uptothetimeofwriting,hastreatedmewithsuchlackofattention.ItwasapresenttoGENTLEMENwhoweretoretainthepieceofmusic,andwhohaveall,withoutexception,mademeapresentoffivedollars.Itisbeyondmy
humblecapacitytobelievethatyou,afterhavingofferedtosendmemoneyinanenvelope,shouldfailtodoso.
"Sendme,Iprayofyou,themoneytoremuneratethesmallboyforhisrepeatedvisitstoyou.Pleasebediscreetandsenditinanenvelopebythebearer.
"LastnightIcametothehotelwiththeboy.Youweredining.Iwaitedmorethananhourforyouandthenwenttothetheatre.Givetheboysomesmallamount,andsendmealikeofferingof
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 32/67
largerproportions.
"Awaitingincessantlyaslightattentiononyourpart,
"CAPTAINERNESTOBECUCCI."
Andhere,likeoneofGeorgeMoore'srealisticstudies,endsthisintercoursewithCaptainErnestoBecucci.Nothinghappened.Nothingevercametoanything.Hegotnotangiblereturn,andIgotnoleopardskins.Thetangiblereturnhemighthavegot,IpresentedtoEliceo,whopromptlyinvesteditinapairoftrousersandatickettothebull-fight.
(NOTETOEDITOR.--ThisisafaithfulnarrationofwhatactuallyhappenedinQuito,Ecuador.)
THATDEADMENRISEUPNEVER
ThemonthinwhichmyseventeenthbirthdayarrivedIsignedon
beforethemastontheSophieSutherland,athree-topmastschoonerboundonaseven-months'seal-huntingcruisetothecoastofJapan.WesailedfromSanFrancisco,andimmediatelyIfoundconfrontingmeaproblemofnoinconsiderableproportions.Thereweretwelvemenofusintheforecastle,tenofwhomwerehardened,tarry-thumbedsailors.NotalonewasIayouthandonmyfirstvoyage,butIhadforshipmatesmenwhohadcomethroughthehardschoolofthemerchantserviceofEurope.Asboys,theyhadhadtoperformtheirship'sduty,and,inaddition,byimmemorialseacustom,theyhadhadtobetheslavesoftheordinaryandable-bodiedseamen.Whentheybecameordinaryseamentheywerestilltheslavesoftheable-bodied.Thus,intheforecastle,withthewatchbelow,anableseaman,lyinginhis
bunk,willorderanordinaryseamantofetchhimhisshoesorbringhimadrinkofwater.NowtheordinaryseamanmaybelyinginHISbunk.Heisjustastiredastheableseaman.Yethemustgetoutofhisbunkandfetchandcarry.Ifherefuses,hewillbebeaten.If,perchance,heissostrongthathecanwhiptheableseaman,thenalltheableseamen,orasmanyasmaybenecessary,pitchuponthelucklessdevilandadministerthebeating.
Myproblemnowbecomesapparent.Thesehard-bitScandinaviansailorshadcomethroughahardschool.Asboystheyhadservedtheirmates,andasableseamentheylookedtobeservedbyotherboys.Iwasaboy--withalwithaman'sbody.Ihadneverbeento
seabefore--withalIwasagoodsailorandknewmybusiness.Itwaseitheracaseofholdingmyownwiththemorofgoingunder.Ihadsignedonasanequal,andanequalImustmaintainmyself,orelseenduresevenmonthsofhellattheirhands.Anditwasthisveryequalitytheyresented.BywhatrightwasIanequal?Ihadnotearnedthathighprivilege.Ihadnotenduredthemiseriestheyhadenduredasmaltreatedboysorbulliedordinaries.Worsethanthat,Iwasaland-lubbermakinghisfirstvoyage.Andyet,bytheinjusticeoffate,ontheship'sarticlesIwastheirequal.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 33/67
Mymethodwasdeliberate,andsimple,anddrastic.Inthefirstplace,Iresolvedtodomywork,nomatterhowhardordangerousitmightbe,sowellthatnomanwouldbecalledupontodoitforme.Further,Iputgingerinmymuscles.Inevermalingeredwhenpullingonarope,forIknewtheeagleeyesofmyforecastlematesweresquintingforjustsuchevidencesofmyinferiority.Imadeitapointtobeamongthefirstofthewatchgoingondeck,amongthelastgoingbelow,neverleavingasheetortackleforsomeoneelsetocoiloverapin.Iwasalwayseagerfortherunaloftfortheshiftingoftopsailsheetsandtacks,orforthesettingortakinginoftopsails;andinthesemattersIdidmorethanmyshare.
Furthermore,Iwasonahair-triggerofresentmentmyself.Iknewbetterthantoacceptanyabuseortheslightestpatronizing.Atthefirsthintofsuch,Iwentoff--Iexploded.Imightbebeateninthesubsequentfight,butIlefttheimpressionthatIwasawild-catandthatIwouldjustaswillinglyfightagain.MyintentionwastodemonstratethatIwouldtoleratenoimposition.Iprovedthatthemanwhoimposedonmemusthaveafightonhishands.Anddoingmyworkwell,theinnatejusticeofthemen,assistedbytheirwholesomedislikeforaclawingandrendingwild-catruction,soonledthemtogiveovertheirhectoring.
Afterabitofstrife,myattitudewasaccepted,anditwasmypridethatIwastakeninasanequalinspiritaswellasinfact.Fromthenon,everythingwasbeautiful,andthevoyagepromisedtobeahappyone.
Buttherewasoneothermanintheforecastle.CountingtheScandinaviansasten,andmyselfastheeleventh,thismanwasthetwelfthandlast.Weneverknewhisname,contentingourselveswithcallinghimthe"Bricklayer."HewasfromMissouri--atleasthesoinformedusintheonemeagreconfidencehewasguiltyofintheearlydaysofthevoyage.Also,atthattime,welearnedseveralotherthings.Hewasabrick-layerbytrade.Hehadneverevenseensaltwateruntiltheweekbeforehejoinedus,at
whichtimehehadarrivedinSanFranciscoandlookeduponSanFranciscoBay.Whyhe,ofallmen,atfortyyearsofage,shouldhavefelttheprodtogotosea,wasbeyondallofus;foritwasourunanimousconvictionthatnomanlessfittedfortheseahadeverembarkedonit.Buttoseahehadcome.Afteraweek'sstayinasailors'boarding-house,hehadbeenshovedaboardofusasanableseaman.
Allhandshadtodohisworkforhim.Notonlydidheknownothing,butheprovedhimselfunabletolearnanything.Tryastheywould,theycouldneverteachhimtosteer.Tohimthecompassmusthavebeenaprofoundandawfulwhirligig.Henevermastereditscardinalpoints,muchlessthecheckingandsteadying
oftheshiponhercourse.Heneverdidcometoknowwhetherropesshouldbecoiledfromlefttorightorfromrighttoleft.Itwasmentallyimpossibleforhimtolearntheeasymusculartrickofthrowinghisweightonaropeinpullingandhauling.Thesimplestknotsandturnswerebeyondhiscomprehension,whilehewasmortallyafraidofgoingaloft.Bulliedbycaptainandmate,hewasonedayforcedaloft.Hemanagedtogetunderneaththecrosstrees,andtherehefrozetotheratlines.Twosailorshadtogoafterhimtohelphimdown.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 34/67
Allofwhichwasbadenoughhadtherebeennoworse.Buthewasvicious,malignant,dirty,andwithoutcommondecency.Hewasatall,powerfulman,andhefoughtwitheverybody.Andtherewasnofairnessinhisfighting.Hisfirstfightonboard,thefirstdayout,waswithme,whenhe,desiringtocutaplugofchewingtobacco,tookmypersonaltable-knifeforthepurpose,andwhereupon,I,onahair-trigger,promptlyexploded.Afterthathefoughtwithnearlyeverymemberofthecrew.Whenhisclothingbecametoofilthytobebearablebytherestofus,weputittosoakandstoodoverhimwhilehewashedit.Inshort,theBricklayerwasoneofthosehorribleandmonstrousthingsthatonemustseeinordertobeconvincedthattheyexist.
Iwillonlysaythathewasabeast,andthatwetreatedhimlikeabeast.ItisonlybylookingbackthroughtheyearsthatIrealisehowheartlessweweretohim.Hewaswithoutsin.Hecouldnot,bytheverynatureofthings,havebeenanythingelsethanhewas.Hehadnotmadehimself,andforhismakinghewasnotresponsible.Yetwetreatedhimasafreeagentandheldhimpersonallyresponsibleforallthathewasandthatheshouldnothavebeen.Asaresult,ourtreatmentofhimwasasterribleashewashimselfterrible.Finallywegavehimthesilenttreatment,andforweeksbeforehediedweneitherspoketohimnordidhespeaktous.Andforweekshemovedamongus,orlay
inhisbunkinourcrowdedhouse,grinningatushishatredandmalignancy.Hewasadyingman,andheknewit,andweknewit.Andfurthermore,heknewthatwewantedhimtodie.Hecumberedourlifewithhispresence,andourswasaroughlifethatmaderoughmenofus.Andsohedied,inasmallspacecrowdedbytwelvemenandasmuchaloneasifhehaddiedonsomedesolatemountainpeak.Nokindlyword,nolastword,waspassedbetween.Hediedashehadlived,abeast,andhediedhatingusandhatedbyus.
AndnowIcometothemoststartlingmomentofmylife.Nosoonerwashedeadthanhewasflungoverboard.Hediedinanightofwind,drawinghislastbreathasthementumbledintotheir
oilskinstothecryof"Allhands!"Andhewasflungoverboard,severalhourslater,onadayofwind.Notevenacanvaswrappinggracedhismortalremains;norwashedeemedworthyofbarsofironathisfeet.Wesewedhimupintheblanketsinwhichhediedandlaidhimonahatch-coverfor'ardofthemain-hatchontheportside.Agunnysack,halffullofgalleycoal,wasfastenedtohisfeet.
Itwasbittercold.Theweather-sideofeveryrope,spar,andstaywascoatedwithice,whilealltheriggingwasaharp,singingandshoutingunderthefiercehandofthewind.Theschooner,hoveto,lurchedandflounderedthroughthesea,rollingherscuppersunderandperpetuallyfloodingthedeckwithicysalt
water.Weoftheforecastlestoodinsea-bootsandoilskins.Ourhandsweremittened,butourheadswerebaredinthepresenceofthedeathwedidnotrespect.Ourearsstungandnumbedandwhitened,andweyearnedforthebodytobegone.Buttheinterminablereadingoftheburialservicewenton.Thecaptainhadmistakenhisplace,andwhilehereadonwithoutpurposewefrozeourearsandresentedthisfinalhardshipthrustuponusbythehelplesscadaver.Asfromthebeginning,sototheend,everythinghadgonewrongwiththeBricklayer.Finally,thecaptain'sson,irritatedbeyondmeasure,jerkedthebookfromthe
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 35/67
palsiedfingersoftheoldmanandfoundtheplace.Againthequaveringvoiceofthecaptainarose.Thencamethecue:"Andthebodyshallbecastintothesea."Weelevatedoneendofthehatch-cover,andtheBricklayerplungedoutboardandwasgone.
Backintotheforecastlewecleanedhouse,washingoutthedeadman'sbunkandremovingeveryvestigeofhim.Bysealawandseacustom,weshouldhavegatheredhiseffectstogetherandturnedthemovertothecaptain,who,later,wouldhaveheldanauctioninwhichweshouldhavebidforthevariousarticles.Butnomanwantedthem,sowetossedthemupondeckandoverboardinthewakeofthedepartedbody--thelastill-treatmentwecoulddevisetowreakupontheonewehadhatedso.Oh,itwasraw,believeme;butthelifewelivedwasraw,andwewereasrawasthelife.
TheBricklayer'sbunkwasbetterthanmine.Lessseawaterleakeddownthroughthedeckintoit,andthelightwasbetterforlyinginbedandreading.PartlyforthisreasonIproceededtomoveintohisbunk.Myotherreasonwaspride.Isawthesailorsweresuperstitious,andbythisactIdeterminedtoshowthatIwasbraverthanthey.Iwouldcapmyprovedequalitybyadeedthatwouldcompeltheirrecognitionofmysuperiority.Oh,thearroganceofyouth!Butletthatpass.Thesailorswereappalledbymyintention.Oneandall,theywarnedmethatinthehistory
oftheseanomanhadtakenadeadman'sbunkandlivedtotheendofthevoyage.Theyinstancedcaseaftercaseintheirpersonalexperience.Iwasobdurate.Thentheybeggedandpleadedwithme,andmypridewastickledinthattheyshowedtheyreallylikedmeandwereconcernedaboutme.Thisbutservedtoconfirmmeinmymadness.Imovedin,and,lyinginthedeadman'sbunk,allafternoonandeveninglistenedtodirepropheciesofmyfuture.Alsoweretoldstoriesofawfuldeathsandgruesomeghoststhatsecretlyshiveredtheheartsofallofus.Saturatedwiththis,yetscoffingatit,Irolledoverattheendoftheseconddog-watchandwenttosleep.
AttenminutestotwelveIwascalled,andattwelveIwasdressed
andondeck,relievingthemanwhohadcalledme.Onthesealinggrounds,whenhoveto,awatchofonlyasinglemaniskeptthroughthenight,eachmanholdingthedeckforanhour.Itwasadarknight,thoughnotablackone.Thegalewasbreakingup,andthecloudswerethinning.Thereshouldhavebeenamoon,and,thoughinvisible,insomewayadim,suffusedradiancecamefromit.Ipacedbackandforthacrossthedeckamidships.Mymindwasfilledwiththeeventofthedayandwiththehorribletalesmyshipmateshadtold,andyetIdaretosay,hereandnow,thatIwasnotafraid.Iwasahealthyanimal,andfurthermore,intellectually,IagreedwithSwinburnethatdeadmenriseupnever.TheBricklayerwasdead,andthatwastheendofit.Hewouldriseupnever--atleast,neveronthedeckoftheSophie
Sutherland.Eventhenhewasintheoceandepthsmilestowindwardofourleewarddrift,andthelikelihoodwasthathewasalreadyportionedoutinthemawsofmanysharks.Still,mymindponderedonthetalesoftheghostsofdeadmenIhadheard,andIspeculatedonthespiritworld.Myconclusionwasthatifthespiritsofthedeadstillroamedtheworldtheycarriedthegoodnessorthemalignancyoftheearth-lifewiththem.Therefore,grantingthehypothesis(whichIdidn'tgrantatall),theghostoftheBricklayerwasboundtobeashatefulandmalignantasheinlifehadbeen.Buttherewasn'tany
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 36/67
Bricklayer'sghost--thatIinsistedupon.
Afewminutes,thinkingthus,Ipacedupanddown.Then,glancingcasuallyfor'ard,alongtheportside,Ileapedlikeastartleddeerandinablindmadnessofterrorrushedaftalongthepoop,headingforthecabin.Gonewasallmyarroganceofyouthandmyintellectualcalm.Ihadseenaghost.There,inthedimlight,wherewehadflungthedeadmanoverboard,Ihadseenafaintandwaveringform.Six-feetinlengthitwas,slender,andofsubstancesoattenuatedthatIhaddistinctlyseenthroughitthetraceryofthefore-rigging.
Asforme,Iwasaspanic-strickenasafrightenedhorse.I,asI,hadceasedtoexist.Throughmewerevibratingthefibre-instinctsoftenthousandgenerationsofsuperstitiousforebearswhohadbeenafraidofthedarkandthethingsofthedark.IwasnotI.Iwas,intruth,thosetenthousandforebears.Iwastherace,thewholehumanrace,initssuperstitiousinfancy.Notuntilpartwaydownthecabin-companionwaydidmyidentityreturntome.Icheckedmyflightandclungtothesteepladder,suffocating,trembling,anddizzy.Never,beforenorsince,haveIhadsuchashock.Iclungtotheladderandconsidered.Icouldnotdoubtmysenses.ThatIhadseensomethingtherewasnodiscussion.Butwhatwasit?Eitheraghostorajoke.There
couldbenothingelse.Ifaghost,thequestionwas:woulditappearagain?Ifitdidnot,andIarousedtheship'sofficers,Iwouldmakemyselfthelaughingstockofallonboard.Andbythesametoken,ifitwereajoke,mypositionwouldbestillmoreridiculous.IfIweretoretainmyhard-wonplaceofequality,itwouldneverdotoarouseanyoneuntilIascertainedthenatureofthething.
Iamabraveman.Idaretosayso;forinfearandtremblingIcreptupthecompanion-wayandwentbacktothespotfromwhichIhadfirstseenthething.Ithadvanished.Mybraverywasqualified,however.ThoughIcouldseenothing,Iwasafraidtogofor'ardtothespotwhereIhadseenthething.Iresumedmy
pacingupanddown,andthoughIcastmanyananxiousglancetowardthedreadspot,nothingmanifesteditself.Asmyequanimityreturnedtome,IconcludedthatthewholeaffairhadbeenatrickoftheimaginationandthatIhadgotwhatIdeservedforallowingmymindtodwellonsuchmatters.
Oncemoremyglancesfor'ardwerecasual,andnotanxious;andthen,suddenly,Iwasamadman,rushingwildlyaft.Ihadseenthethingagain,thelong,waveringattenuatedsubstancethroughwhichcouldbeseenthefore-rigging.ThistimeIhadreachedonlythebreakofthepoopwhenIcheckedmyself.AgainIreasonedoverthesituation,anditwaspridethatcounselledstrongest.Icouldnotaffordtomakemyselfalaughing-stock.
Thisthing,whateveritwas,Imustfacealone.Imustworkitoutmyself.IlookedbacktothespotwherewehadtiltedtheBricklayer.Itwasvacant.Nothingmoved.AndforathirdtimeIresumedmyamid-shipspacing.
Intheabsenceofthethingmyfeardiedawayandmyintellectualpoisereturned.Ofcourseitwasnotaghost.Deadmendidnotriseup.Itwasajoke,acrueljoke.Mymatesoftheforecastle,bysomeunknownmeans,werefrighteningme.Twicealreadymusttheyhaveseenmerunaft.Mycheeksburnedwith
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 37/67
shame.InfancyIcouldhearthesmotheredchucklingandlaughtereventhengoingonintheforecastle.Ibegantogrowangry.Jokeswereallverywell,butthiswascarryingthethingtoofar.Iwastheyoungestonboard,onlyayouth,andtheyhadnorighttoplaytricksonmeoftheorderthatIwellknewinthepasthadmaderavingmaniacsofmenandwomen.Igrewangrierandangrier,andresolvedtoshowthemthatIwasmadeofsternerstuffandatthesametimetowreakmyresentmentuponthem.Ifthethingappearedagain,ImademymindupthatIwouldgouptoit--furthermore,thatIwouldgouptoitknifeinhand.Whenwithinstrikingdistance,Iwouldstrike.Ifaman,hewouldgettheknife-thrusthedeserved.Ifaghost,well,itwouldn'thurttheghostany,whileIwouldhavelearnedthatdeadmendidriseup.
NowIwasveryangry,andIwasquitesurethethingwasatrick;butwhenthethingappearedathirdtime,inthesamespot,long,attenuated,andwavering,fearsurgedupinmeanddrovemostofmyangeraway.ButIdidnotrun.NordidItakemyeyesfromthething.Bothtimesbefore,ithadvanishedwhileIwasrunningaway,soIhadnotseenthemannerofitsgoing.Idrewmysheath-knifefrommybeltandbeganmyadvance.Stepbystep,nearerandnearer,theefforttocontrolmyselfgrewmoresevere.Thestrugglewasbetweenmywill,myidentity,myveryself,ontheonehand,andontheother,thetenthousandancestorswho
weretwistedintothefibresofmeandwhoseghostlyvoiceswerewhisperingofthedarkandthefearofthedarkthathadbeentheirsinthetimewhentheworldwasdarkandfullofterror.
Iadvancedmoreslowly,andstillthethingwaveredandflittedwithstrangeeerielurches.Andthen,rightbeforemyeyes,itvanished.Isawitvanish.Neithertotherightnorleftdiditgo,norbackward.Rightthere,whileIgazeduponit,itfadedaway,ceasedtobe.Ididn'tdie,butIswear,fromwhatIexperiencedinthosefewsucceedingmoments,thatIknowfullwellthatmencandieoffright.Istoodthere,knifeinhand,swayingautomaticallytotherolloftheship,paralysedwithfear.HadtheBricklayersuddenlyseizedmythroatwithcorporealfingers
andproceededtothrottleme,itwouldhavebeennomorethanIexpected.Deadmendidriseup,andthatwouldbethemostlikelythingthemalignantBricklayerwoulddo.
Buthedidn'tseizemythroat.Nothinghappened.And,sincenatureabhorsastatus,Icouldnotremainthereintheoneplaceforeverparalysed.Iturnedandstartedaft.Ididnotrun.Whatwastheuse?WhatchancehadIagainstthemalevolentworldofghosts?Flight,withme,wastheswiftnessofmylegs.Thepursuit,withaghost,wastheswiftnessofthought.Andtherewereghosts.Ihadseenone.
Andso,stumblingslowlyaft,Idiscoveredtheexplanationofthe
seeming.Isawthemizzentopmastlurchingacrossafaintradianceofcloudbehindwhichwasthemoon.Theidealeapedinmybrain.Iextendedthelinebetweenthecloudyradianceandthemizzen-topmastandfoundthatitmuststrikesomewherenearthefore-riggingontheportside.EvenasIdidthis,theradiancevanished.Thedrivingcloudsofthebreakinggalewerealternatelythickeningandthinningbeforethefaceofthemoon,butneverexposingthefaceofthemoon.Andwhenthecloudswereattheirthinnest,itwasaverydimradiancethatthemoonwasabletomake.Iwatchedandwaited.Thenexttimetheclouds
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 38/67
thinnedIlookedfor'ard,andtherewastheshadowofthetopmast,longandattenuated,waveringandlurchingonthedeckandagainsttherigging.
Thiswasmyfirstghost.OnceagainhaveIseenaghost.ItprovedtobeaNewfoundlanddog,andIdon'tknowwhichofuswasthemorefrightened,forIhitthatNewfoundlandafullright-armswingtothejaw.RegardingtheBricklayer'sghost,IwillsaythatInevermentionedittoasoulonboard.Also,IwillsaythatinallmylifeIneverwentthroughmoretormentandmentalsufferingthanonthatlonelynight-watchontheSophieSutherland.
(TOTHEEDITOR.--Thisisnotafiction.Itisatruepageoutofmylife.)
ACLASSICOFTHESEA
Introductionto"TwoYearsbeforetheMast."
Onceinahundredyearsisabookwrittenthatlivesnotaloneforitsowncenturybutwhichbecomesadocumentforthefuturecenturies.SuchabookisDana's.WhenMarryat'sandCooper'sseanovelsaregonetodust,stimulatingandjoyfulastheyhavebeentogenerationsofmen,stillwillremain"TwoYearsBeforetheMast."
Paradoxicalasitmayseem,Dana'sbookistheclassicofthesea,notbecausetherewasanythingextraordinaryaboutDana,butfortheprecisecontraryreasonthathewasjustanordinary,normalman,clear-seeing,hard-headed,controlled,fittedwithadequateeducationtogoaboutthework.Hebroughtatrainedmindtoput
downwithuntroubledvisionwhathesawofacertainphaseofwork-a-daylife.Therewasnothingbrilliantnorfly-awayabouthim.Hewasnotagenius.Hisheartneverrodehishead.Hewasneitheroverlordedbysentimentnorhag-riddenbyimagination.OtherwisehemighthavebeenguiltyofthebeautifulexaggerationsinMelville's"Typee"ortheimaginativeorgiesinthelatter's"MobyDick."ItwasDana'scoolpoisethatsavedhimfrombeingspread-eagledandfloggedwhentwoofhismatesweresotreated;itwashislackofabandonthatpreventedhimfromtakinguppermanentlywiththesea,thatpreventedhimfromseeingmorethanonepoeticalspot,andmorethanoneromanticspotonallthecoastofOldCalifornia.Yettheseapparentdefectswerehisstrength.Theyenabledhimmagnificentlytowrite,andforall
time,thepictureofthesea-lifeofhistime.
Writtenclosetothemiddleofthelastcentury,suchhasbeentherevolutionworkedinman'smethodoftraffickingwiththesea,thatthelifeandconditionsdescribedinDana'sbookhavepassedutterlyaway.Gonearethecrackclippers,thedrivingcaptains,thehard-bittenbutefficientforemasthands.Remainonlycrawlingcargotanks,dirtytramps,greyhoundliners,andasombre,sordidtypeofsailingship.Theonlyrecordsbrokento-daybysailingvesselsarethoseforslowness.Theyarenolonger
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 39/67
builtforspeed,noraretheymannedbeforethemastbyassturdyasailorstock,noraftthemastaretheyofficeredbysail-carryingcaptainsanddrivingmates.
Speedislefttotheliners,whorunthesilk,andtea,andspices.Admiraltycourts,boardsoftrade,andunderwritersfrownupondrivingandsail-carrying.Nomorearethefree-and-easy,dare-devildays,whenfortunesweremadeinfastrunsandluckyventures,notaloneforowners,butforcaptainsaswell.Nothingisventurednow.Therisksofswiftpassagescannotbeabided.Freightsarecalculatedtothelastleastfractionofpercent.Thecaptainsdonospeculating,nobargain-makingfortheowners.Thelatterattendtoallthis,andbywireandcableraketheportsofthesevenseasinquestofcargoes,andthroughtheiragentsmakeallbusinessarrangements.
Ithasbeenlearnedthatsmallcrewsonly,andlargecarriersonly,canreturnadecentinterestontheinvestment.Theinevitablecorollaryisthatspeedandspiritareatadiscount.Thereisnodiscussionofthefactthatinthesailingmerchantmarinetheseamen,asaclass,havesadlydeteriorated.Mennolongersellfarmstogotosea.ButthetimeofwhichDanawriteswastheheydayoffortune-makingandadventureonthesea--withthefullconnotationofhardshipandperilalwaysattendant.
ItwasDana'sfortune,forthesakeofthepicture,thatthePilgrimwasanaverageship,withanaveragecrewandofficers,andmanagedwithaveragediscipline.EventheHAZINGthattookplaceaftertheCaliforniacoastwasreached,wasoftheaveragesort.ThePilgrimsavourednotinanywayofahell-ship.Thecaptain,whilenotthesweetest-naturedmanintheworld,wasonlyanaveragedown-eastdriver,neitherbrilliantnorslovenlyinhisseamanship,neithercruelnorsentimentalinthetreatmentofhismen.While,ontheonehand,therewerenoextralibertydays,nodelicaciesaddedtothemeagreforecastlefare,norgrogorhotcoffeeondoublewatches,ontheotherhandthecrewwerenotchronicallycrippledbythecontinualplayofknuckle-dustersand
belayingpins.Once,andonceonly,weremenfloggedorironed--averyfairaveragefortheyear1834,foratthattimefloggingonboardmerchantvesselswasalreadywellonthedecline.
Thedifferencebetweenthesea-lifethenandnowcanbenobetterepitomisedthaninDana'sdescriptionofthedressofthesailorofhisday:
"Thetrouserstightaroundthehips,andthencehanginglongandloosearoundthefeet,asuperabundanceofcheckedshirt,alow-crowned,well-varnishedblackhat,wornonthebackofthehead,withhalfafathomofblackribbonhangingoverthelefteye,andapeculiartietotheblacksilkneckerchief."
ThoughDanasailedfromBostononlythree-quartersofacenturyago,muchthatisatpresentobsoletewastheninfullsway.Forinstance,theoldwordLARBOARDwasstillinuse.HewasamemberoftheLARBOARDwatch.ThevesselwasontheLARBOARDtack.Itwasonlytheotherday,becauseofitssimilarityinsoundtostarboard,thatLARBOARDwaschangedtoPORT.Trytoimagine"Alllarboardbowlinesondeck!"beingshouteddownintotheforecastleofapresentdayship.YetthatwasthecallusedonthePilgrimtofetchDanaandtherestofhiswatchondeck.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 40/67
Thechronometer,whichismerelytheleastimperfecttime-piecemanhasdevised,makespossiblethesurestandeasiestmethodbyfarofascertaininglongitude.YetthePilgrimsailedinadaywhenthechronometerwasjustcomingintogeneraluse.SolittlewasitdependeduponthatthePilgrimcarriedonlyone,andthatone,goingwrongattheoutset,wasneverusedagain.Anavigatorofthepresentwouldbeaghastifaskedtovoyagefortwoyears,fromBoston,aroundtheHorntoCalifornia,andbackagain,withoutachronometer.Inthosedayssuchaproceedingwasamatterofcourse,forthosewerethedayswhendeadreckoningwasindeedsomethingtoreckonon,whenrunningdownthelatitudewasacommonwayoffindingaplace,andwhenlunarobservationsweredirelynecessary.Itmaybefairlyassertedthatveryfewmerchantofficersofto-dayevermakealunarobservation,andthatalargepercentageareunabletodoit.
"Sept.22nd.,uponcomingondeckatsevenbellsinthemorningwefoundtheotherwatchaloftthrowingwateruponthesails,andlookingasternwesawasmall,clipper-builtbrigwithablackhullheadingdirectlyafterus.Wewenttoworkimmediately,andputallthecanvasuponthebrigwhichwecouldgetuponher,riggingoutoarsforstudding-sailyards;andcontinedwettingdownthesailsbybucketsofwaterwhippeduptothemast-head..
.Shewasarmed,andfullofmen,andshowednocolours."
Theforegoingsoundslikeaparagraphfrom"MidshipmanEasy"orthe"WaterWitch,"ratherthanaparagraphfromthesoberest,faithfullest,andmostliteralchronicleoftheseaeverwritten.Andyetthechasebyapirateoccurred,onboardthebrigPilgrim,onSeptember22nd,1834--somethinglikeonlytwogenerationsago.
Danawasthethorough-goingtypeofman,notoverbalancedanderratic,withoutquirkorquibbleoftemperament.Hewasefficient,butnotbrilliant.Hiswasageneralall-roundefficiency.Hewasefficientatthelaw;hewasefficientatcollege;hewasefficientasasailor;hewasefficientinthe
matterofpride,whenthatpridewasnomorethantheprideofaforecastlehand,attwelvedollarsamonth,inhisseaman'staskwelldone,inthesmartsailingofhiscaptain,intheclearnessandtrimnessofhisship.
ThereisnosailorwhosecocklesoftheheartwillnotwarmtoDana'sdescriptionofthefirsttimehesentdownaroyalyard.Onceortwicehehadseenitdone.Hegotanoldhandinthecrewtocoachhim.Andthen,thefirstanchorageatMonterey,beingprettyTHICKwiththesecondmate,hegothimtoaskthematetobesentupthefirsttimetheroyalyardswerestruck."Fortunately,"asDanadescribesit,"Igotthroughwithoutanywordfromtheofficer;andheardthe'welldone'ofthemate,when
theyardreachedthedeck,withasmuchsatisfactionasIeverfeltatCambridgeonseeinga'bene'atthefootofaLatinexercise."
"ThiswasthefirsttimeIhadtakenaweatherear-ring,andIfeltnotalittleproudtositastrideoftheweatheryard-arm,pasttheear-ring,andsingout'Haulouttoleeward!'"Hehadbeenoverayearatseabeforeheessayedthisableseaman'stask,buthedidit,andhediditwithpride.Andwithpride,hewentdownafour-hundredfootcliff,onapairoftop-gallantstudding-
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 41/67
sailhalyardsbenttogether,todislodgeseveraldollarsworthofstrandedbullockhides,thoughalltheacclaimhegotfromhismateswas:"Whatad-dfoolyouweretoriskyourlifeforhalfadozenhides!"
Inbrief,itwasjustthisefficiencyinpride,aswellaswork,thatenabledDanatosetdown,notmerelythephotographdetailoflifebeforethemastandhide-droghingonthecoastofCalifornia,butoftheuntarnishedsimplepsychologyandethicsoftheforecastlehandswhodroghedthehides,stoodatthewheel,madeandtookinsail,tarreddowntherigging,holystonedthedecks,turnedinall-standing,grumbledastheycutaboutthekid,criticisedtheseamanshipoftheirofficers,andestimatedthedurationoftheirexilefromthecubicspaceofthehide-house.
JACKLONDONGlenEllen,California,August13,1911.
AWICKEDWOMAN(CurtainRaiser)BYJACKLONDON
Scene--California.Time--Afternoonofasummerday.
CHARACTERS
LORETTA,Asweet,youngthing.Frightfullyinnocent.Aboutnineteenyearsold.Slender,delicate,afragileflower.Ingenuous.
NEDBASHFORD,Ajadedyoungmanoftheworld,whohas
philosophisedhisexperiencesandwhoiswithoutfaithintheveracityorpurityofwomen.
BILLYMARSH,AboyfromacountrytownwhoisjustaboutasinnocentasLoretta.Awkward.Positive.Rawandcallowyouth.
ALICEHEMINGWAY,Asocietywoman,good-hearted,andamatch-maker.
JACKHEMINGWAY,Herhusband.
MAID.
AWICKEDWOMAN
[CurtainrisesonaconventionallivingroomofacountryhouseinCalifornia.ItistheHemingwayhouseatSantaClara.Theroomisremarkableformagnificentstonefireplaceatrearcentre.Oneithersideoffireplacearegenerous,diamond-panedwindows.Wide,curtaineddoorwaystorightandleft.Toleft,front,table,withvaseofflowersandchairs.Toright,front,grandpiano.]
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 42/67
[CurtaindiscoversLORETTAseatedatpiano,notplaying,herbacktoit,facingNEDBASHFORD,whoisstanding.]
LORETTA.[Petulantly,fanningherselfwithsheetofmusic.]No,Iwon'tgofishing.It'stoowarm.Besides,thefishwon'tbitesoearlyintheafternoon.
NED.Oh,comeon.It'snotwarmatall.Andanyway,wewon'treallyfish.Iwanttotellyousomething.
LORETTA.[Stillpetulantly.]Youarealwayswantingtotellmesomething.
NED.Yes,butonlyinfun.Thisisdifferent.Thisisserious.Our...myhappinessdependsuponit.
LORETTA.[Speakingeagerly,nolongerpetulant,looking,seriousanddelighted,diviningaproposal.]Thendon'twait.Tellmerighthere.
NED.[Almostthreateningly.]ShallI?
LORETTA.[Challenging.]Yes.
[Helooksaroundapprehensivelyasthoughfearinginterruption,clearshisthroat,takesresolution,alsotakesLORETTA'shand.]
[LORETTAisstartled,timid,yetwillingtohear,naivelyunabletoconcealherloveforhim.]
NED.[Speakingsoftly.]Loretta...I,...eversinceImetyouIhave-
[JACKHEMINGWAYappearsinthedoorwaytotheleft,justentering.]
[NEDsuddenlydropsLORETTA'shand.Heshowsexasperation.]
[LORETTAshowsdisappointmentatinterruption.]
NED.Confoundit
LORETTA.[Shocked.]Ned!Whywillyouswearso?
NED.[Testily.]Thatisn'tswearing.
LORETTA.Whatisit,pray?
NED.Displeasuring.
JACKHEMINGWAY.[Whoiscrossingovertoright.]Squabblingagain?
LORETTA.[Indignantlyandwithdignity.]No,we'renot.
NED.[Gruffly.]Whatdoyouwantnow?
JACKHEMINGWAY.[Enthusiastically.]Comeonfishing.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 43/67
NED.[Snappily.]No.It'stoowarm.
JACKHEMINGWAY.[Resignedly,goingoutright.]Youneedn'ttakeafellow'sheadoff.
LORETTA.Ithoughtyouwantedtogofishing.
NED.NotwithJack.
LORETTA.[Accusingly,fanningherselfvigorously.]Andyoutoldmeitwasn'twarmatall.
NED.[Speakingsoftly.]Thatisn'twhatIwantedtotellyou,Loretta.[Hetakesherhand.]DearLoretta-
[EnterabruptlyALICEHEMINGWAYfromright.]
[LORETTAsharplyjerksherhandaway,andlooksputout.]
[NEDtriesnottolookawkward.]
ALICEHEMINGWAY.Goodness!Ithoughtyou'dbothgonefishing!
LORETTA.[Sweetly.]Isthereanythingyouwant,Alice?
NED.[Tryingtobecourteous.]AnythingIcando?
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[Speakingquickly,andtryingtowithdraw.]No,no.Ionlycametoseeifthemailhadarrived.
LORETTAANDNED
[Speakingtogether.]No,ithasn'tarrived.
LORETTA.[Suddenlymovingtowarddoortoright.]Iamgoingtosee.
[NEDlooksatherreproachfully.]
[LORETTAlooksbacktantalisinglyfromdoorwayanddisappears.]
[NEDflingshimselfdisgustedlyintoMorrischair.]
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[Movingoverandstandinginfrontofhim.Speaksaccusingly.]Whathaveyoubeensayingtoher?
NED.[Disgruntled.]Nothing.
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[Threateningly.]Nowlistentome,Ned.
NED.[Earnestly.]Onmyword,Alice,I'vebeensayingnothingtoher.
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[Withsuddenchangeoffront.]Thenyououghttohavebeensayingsomethingtoher.
NED.[Irritably.Gettingchairforher,seatingher,andseatinghimselfagain.]Lookhere,Alice,Iknowyourgame.Youinvitedmedownheretomakeafoolofme.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 44/67
ALICEHEMINGWAY.Nothingofthesort,sir.Iaskedyoudowntomeetasweetandunsulliedgirl--thesweetest,mostinnocentandingenuousgirlintheworld.
NED.[Dryly.]That'swhatyousaidinyourletter.
ALICEHEMINGWAY.Andthat'swhyyoucame.Jackhadbeentryingforayeartogetyoutocome.Hedidnotknowwhatkindofalettertowrite.
NED.IfyouthinkIcamebecauseofalineinaletteraboutagirlI'dneverseen-
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[Mockingly.]Thepoor,jaded,world-wornman,whoisnolongerinterestedinwomen...andgirls!Thepoor,tiredpessimistwhohaslostallfaithinthegoodnessofwomen-
NED.Forwhichyouareresponsible.
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[Incredulously.]I?
NED.Youareresponsible.WhydidyouthrowmeoverandmarryJack?
ALICEHEMINGWAY.Doyouwanttoknow?
NED.Yes.
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[Judiciously.]First,becauseIdidnotloveyou.Second,becauseyoudidnotloveme.[Shesmilesathisprotestinghandandattheprotestingexpressiononhisface.]Andthird,becausetherewerejustabouttwenty-sevenotherwomenatthattimethatyouloved,orthoughtyouloved.ThatiswhyImarriedJack.Andthatiswhyyoulostfaithinthegoodnessofwomen.Youhaveonlyyourselftoblame.
NED.[Admiringly.]Youtalksoconvincingly.Ialmostbelieve
youasIlistentoyou.AndyetIknowallthetimethatyouarelikealltherestofyoursex--faithless,unveracious,and...
[Heglaresather,butdoesnotproceed.]
ALICEHEMINGWAY.Goon.I'mnotafraid.
NED.[Withfinality.]Andimmoral.
ALICEHEMINGWAY.Oh!Youwretch!
NED.[Gloatingly.]That'sright.Getangry.Youmaybreakthefurnitureifyouwish.Idon'tmind.
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[Withsuddenchangeoffront,softly.]AndhowaboutLoretta?
[NEDgaspsandremainssilent.]
ALICEHEMINGWAY.Thedepthsofduplicitythatmustlurkunderthatsweetandinnocentexterior...accordingtoyourphilosophy!
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 45/67
NED.[Earnestly.]Lorettaisanexception,Iconfess.Sheisallthatyousaidinyourletter.Sheisalittlefairy,anangel.Ineverdreamedofanythinglikeher.Itisremarkabletofindsuchawomaninthisage.
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[Encouragingly.]Sheissonaive.
NED.[Takingthebait.]Yes,isn'tshe?Herfaceandhertonguebetrayallhersecrets.
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[Noddingherhead.]Yes,Ihavenoticedit.
NED.[Delightedly.]Haveyou?
ALICEHEMINGWAY.Shecannotconcealanything.Doyouknowthatshelovesyou?
NED.[Fallingintothetrap,eagerly.]Doyouthinkso?
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[Laughingandrising.]AndtothinkIoncepermittedyoutomakelovetomeforthreeweeks!
[NEDrises.]
[MAIDentersfromleftwithletters,whichshebringstoALICEHEMINGWAY.]
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[Runningoverletters.]Noneforyou,Ned.[Selectingtwolettersforherself.]Tradesmen.[HandingremainderofletterstoMAID.]AndthreeforLoretta.[SpeakingtoMAID.]Putthemonthetable,Josie.
[MAIDputslettersontabletoleftfront,andmakesexittoleft.]
NED.[Withshadeofjealousy.]Lorettaseemstohavequiteacorrespondence.
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[Withasigh.]Yes,asIusedtowhenIwasagirl.
NED.Buthersarefamilyletters.
ALICEHEMINGWAY.Yes,IdidnotnoticeanyfromBilly.
NED.[Faintly.]Billy?
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[Nodding.]Ofcourseshehastoldyouabouthim?
NED.[Gasping.]Shehashadlovers...already?
ALICEHEMINGWAY.Andwhynot?Sheisnineteen.
NED.[Haltingly.]This...er...thisBilly...?
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[Laughingandputtingherhandreassuringlyonhisarm.]Nowdon'tbealarmed,poor,tiredphilosopher.Shedoesn'tloveBillyatall.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 46/67
[LORETTAentersfromright.]
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[ToLORETTA,noddingtowardtable.]Threelettersforyou.
LORETTA.[Delightedly.]Oh!Thankyou.
[LORETTAtripsswiftlyacrosstotable,looksatletters,sitsdown,opensletters,andbeginstoread.]
NED.[Suspiciously.]ButBilly?
ALICEHEMINGWAY.Iamafraidhelovesherveryhard.Thatiswhysheishere.Theyhadtosendheraway.Billywasmakinglifemiserableforher.Theywerelittlechildrentogether--playmates.AndBillyhasbeen,well,importunate.AndLoretta,poorchild,doesnotknowanythingaboutmarriage.Thatisall.
NED.[Reassured.]Oh,Isee.
[ALICEHEMINGWAYstartsslowlytowardrightexit,continuingconversationandaccompaniedbyNED.]
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[CallingtoLORETTA.]Areyougoingfishing,
Loretta?
[LORETTAlooksupfromletterandshakeshead.]
ALICEHEMINGWAY.[ToNED.]Thenyou'renot,Isuppose?
NED.No,it'stoowarm.
ALICEHEMINGWAY.ThenIknowtheplaceforyou.
NED.Where?
ALICEHEMINGWAY.Righthere.[Lookssignificantlyindirection
ofLORETTA.]Nowisyouropportunitytosaywhatyououghttosay.
[ALICEHEMINGWAYlaughsteasinglyandgoesouttoright.]
[NEDhesitates,startstofollowher,looksatLORETTA,andstops.Hetwistshismoustacheandcontinuestolookathermeditatively.]
[LORETTAisunawareofhispresenceandgoesonreading.Finishesletter,foldsit,replacesinenvelope,looksup,anddiscoversNED.]
LORETTA.[Startled.]Oh!Ithoughtyouweregone.
NED.[Walkingacrosstoher.]IthoughtI'dstayandfinishourconversation.
LORETTA.[Willingly,settlingherselftolisten.]Yes,youweregoingto...[Dropseyesandceasestalking.]
NED.[Takingherhand,tenderly.]IlittledreamedwhenIcamedownherevisitingthatIwastomeetmydestinyin--[Abruptly
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 47/67
releasesLORETTA'shand.]
[MAIDentersfromleftwithtray.]
[LORETTAglancesintotrayanddiscoversthatitisempty.ShelooksinquiringlyatMAID.]
MAID.Agentlemantoseeyou.Hehasn'tanycard.HesaidformetotellyouthatitwasBilly.
LORETTA.[Starting,lookingwithdismayandappealtoNED.]Oh!...Ned!
NED[Gracefullyandcourteously,risingtohisfeetandpreparingtogo.]Ifyou'llexcusemenow,I'llwaittillafterwardtotellyouwhatIwanted.
LORETTA.[Indismay.]WhatshallIdo?
NED.[Pausing.]Don'tyouwanttoseehim?[LORETTAshakesherhead.]Thendon't.
LORETTA.[Slowly.]Ican'tdothat.Weareoldfriends.We...werechildrentogether.[TotheMAID.]Sendhimin.[ToNED,
whohasstartedtogoouttowardright.]Don'tgo,Ned.
[MAIDmakesexittoleft.]
NED.[Hesitatingamoment.]I'llcomeback.
[NEDmakesexittoright.]
[LORETTA,leftaloneonstage,showsperturbationanddismay.]
[BILLYentersfromleft.Standsindoorwayamoment.Hisshoesaredusty.Helooksoverheated.HiseyesandfacebrightenatsightofLORETTA.]
BILLY.[Steppingforward,ardently.]Loretta!
LORETTA.[Notexactlyenthusiasticinherreception,goingslowlytomeethim.]Youneversaidyouwerecoming.
[BILLYshowsthatheexpectstokissher,butshemerelyshakeshishand.]
BILLY.[Lookingdownathisverydustyshoes.]Iwalkedfromthestation.
LORETTA.Ifyouhadletmeknow,thecarriagewouldhavebeen
sentforyou.
BILLY.[Withexpressionofshrewdness.]IfIhadletyouknow,youwouldn'thaveletmecome.
[BILLYlooksaroundstagecautiously,thentriestokissher.]
LORETTA.[Refusingtobekissed.]Won'tyousitdown?
BILLY.[Coaxingly.]Goon,justone.[LORETTAshakesheadand
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 48/67
holdshimoff.]Whynot?We'reengaged.
LORETTA.[Withdecision.]We'renot.Youknowwe'renot.YouknowIbrokeitoffthedaybeforeIcameaway.And...and...you'dbettersitdown.
[BILLYsitsdownonedgeofchair.LORETTAseatsherselfbytable.Billy,withoutrising,jerkshischairforwardtilltheyarefacingeachother,hiskneestouchinghers.Heyearnstowardher.Shemovesbackherchairslightly.]
BILLY.[Withsupremeconfidence.]That'swhatIcametoseeyoufor--togetengagedoveragain.
[BILLYhudgeschairforwardandtriestotakeherhand.]
[LORETTAhudgesherchairback.]
BILLY.[Drawingoutlargesilverwatchandlookingatit.]Nowlookhere,Loretta,Ihaven'tanytimetolose.I'vegottoleaveforthattrainintenminutes.AndIwantyoutosettheday.
LORETTA.Butwe'renotengaged,Billy.Sotherecan'tbeanysettingoftheday.
BILLY.[Withconfidence.]Butwe'regoingtobe.[Suddenlybreakingout.]Oh,Loretta,ifyouonlyknewhowI'vesuffered.ThatfirstnightIdidn'tsleepawink.Ihaven'tsleptmucheversince.[Hudgeschairforward.]Iwalkthefloorallnight.[Solemnly.]Loretta,Idon'teatenoughtokeepacanarybirdalive.Loretta...[Hudgeschairforward.]
LORETTA.[Hudgingherchairbackmaternally.]Billy,whatyouneedisatonic.HaveyouseenDoctorHaskins?
BILLY.[Lookingatwatchandevincingsignsofhaste.]Loretta,whenagirlkissesaman,itmeanssheisgoingtomarryhim.
LORETTA.Iknowit,Billy.But...[Sheglancestowardlettersontable.]CaptainKittdoesn'twantmetomarryyou.Hesays...[Shetakesletterandbeginstoopenit.]
BILLY.NevermindwhatCaptainKittsays.Hewantsyoutostayandbecompanyforyoursister.Hedoesn'twantyoutomarrymebecauseheknowsshewantstokeepyou.
LORETTA.Daisydoesn'twanttokeepme.Shewantsnothingbutmyownhappiness.Shesays--[Shetakessecondletterfromtableandbeginstoopenit.]
BILLY.NevermindwhatDaisysays-
LORETTA.[Takingthirdletterfromtableandbeginningtoopenit.]AndMarthasays-
BILLY.[Angrily.]DarnMarthaandthewholeboilingofthem!
LORETTA.[Reprovingly.]Oh,Billy!
BILLY.[Defensively.]Darnisn'tswearing,andyouknowit
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 49/67
isn't.
[Thereisanawkwardpause.Billyhaslostthethreadoftheconversationandhasvacantexpression.]
BILLY.[Suddenlyrecollecting.]NevermindCaptainKitt,andDaisy,andMartha,andwhattheywant.Thequestionis,whatdoyouwant?
LORETTA.[Appealingly.]Oh,Billy,I'msounhappy.
BILLY.[Ignoringtheappealandpressinghomethepoint.]Thethingis,doyouwanttomarryme?[Helooksathiswatch.]Justanswerthat.
LORETTA.Aren'tyouafraidyou'llmissthattrain?
BILLY.Darnthetrain!
LORETTA.[Reprovingly.]Oh,Billy!
BILLY.[Mostirascibly.]Darnisn'tswearing.[Plaintively.]That'sthewayyoualwaysputmeoff.Ididn'tcomeallthewayhereforatrain.Icameforyou.Nowjustanswermeonething.
Doyouwanttomarryme?
LORETTA.[Firmly.]No,Idon'twanttomarryyou.
BILLY.[Withassurance.]Butyou'vegotto,justthesame.
LORETTA.[Withdefiance.]Gotto?
BILLY.[Withunshakenassurance.]That'swhatIsaid--gotto.AndI'llseethatyoudo.
LORETTA.[Blazingwithanger.]Iamnolongerachild.Youcan'tbullyme,BillyMarsh!
BILLY.[Coolly.]I'mnottryingtobullyyou.I'mtryingtosaveyourreputation.
LORETTA.[Faintly.]Reputation?
BILLY.[Nodding.]Yes,reputation.[Hepausesforamoment,thenspeaksverysolemnly.]Loretta,whenawomankissesaman,she'sgottomarryhim.
LORETTA.[Appalled,faintly.]Gotto?
BILLY.[Dogmatically.]Itisthecustom.
LORETTA.[Brokenly.]Andwhen...a...awomankissesamananddoesn't...marryhim...?
BILLY.Thenthereisascandal.That'swhereallthescandalsyouseeinthepaperscomefrom.
[BILLYlooksatwatch.]
[LORETTAinsilentdespair.]
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 50/67
LORETTA.[Inabasement.]Youareagoodman,Billy.[Billyshowsthathebelievesit.]AndIamaverywickedwoman.
BILLY.No,you'renot,Loretta.Youjustdidn'tknow.
LORETTA.[Withagleamofhope.]Butyoukissedmefirst.
BILLY.Itdoesn'tmatter.Youletmekissyou.
LORETTA.[Hopedyingdown.]Butnotatfirst.
BILLY.Butyoudidafterwardandthat'swhatcounts.Youletmeyouinthegrape-arbour.Youletme-
LORETTA.[Withanguish]Don't!Don't!
BILLY.[Relentlessly.]--kissyouwhenyouwereplayingthepiano.Youletmekissyouthatdayofthepicnic.AndIcan'trememberallthetimesyouletmekissyougoodnight.
LORETTA.[Beginningtoweep.]Notmorethanfive.
BILLY.[Withconviction.]Eightatleast.
LORETTA.[Reproachfully,stillweeping.]Youtoldmeitwasallright.
BILLY.[Emphatically.]Soitwasallright--untilyousaidyouwouldn'tmarrymeafterall.Thenitwasascandal--onlynooneknowsityet.Ifyoumarrymenooneeverwillknowit.[Looksatwatch.]I'vegottogo.[Standsup.]Where'smyhat?
LORETTA.[Sobbing.]Thisisawful.
BILLY.[Approvingly.]Youbetit'sawful.Andthere'sonlyonewayout.[Looksanxiouslyaboutforhat.]Whatdoyousay?
LORETTA.[Brokenly.]Imustthink.I'llwritetoyou.[Faintly.]Thetrain?Yourhat'sinthehall.
BILLY.[Looksatwatch,hastilytriestokissher,succeedsonlyinshakinghand,startsacrossstagetowardleft.]Allright.Youwritetome.Writeto-morrow.[Stopsforamomentindoor-wayandspeaksverysolemnly.]Remember,Loretta,theremustbenoscandal.
[Billygoesout.]
[LORETTAsitsinchairquietlyweeping.Slowlydrieseyes,rises
fromchair,andstands,undecidedastowhatshewilldonext.]
[NEDentersfromright,peeping.DiscoversthatLORETTAisalone,andcomesquietlyacrossstagetoher.WhenNEDcomesuptohershebeginsweepingagainandtriestoturnherheadaway.NEDcatchesbothherhandsinhisandcompelshertolookathim.Sheweepsharder.]
NED.[Puttingonearmprotectinglyaroundhershoulderanddrawinghertowardhim.]There,there,littleone,don'tcry.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 51/67
LORETTA.[Turningherfacetohisshoulderlikeatiredchild,sobbing.]Oh,Ned,ifyouonlyknewhowwickedIam.
NED.[Smilingindulgently.]Whatisthematter,littleone?Hasyourdearlybelovedsisterfailedtowritetoyou?[LORETTAshakeshead.]HasHemingwaybeenbullyingyou?[LORETTAshakeshead.]Thenitmusthavebeenthatcallerofyours?[Longpause,duringwhichLORETTA'sweepinggrowsmoreviolent.]Tellmewhat'sthematter,andwe'llseewhatIcando.[Helightlykissesherhair--solightlythatshedoesnotknow.]
LORETTA.[Sobbing.]Ican't.Youwilldespiseme.Oh,Ned,Iamsoashamed.
NED.[Laughingincredulously.]Letusforgetallaboutit.Iwanttotellyousomethingthatmaymakemeveryhappy.Myfondesthopeisthatitwillmakeyouhappy,too.Loretta,Iloveyou-
LORETTA.[Utteringasharpcryofdelight,thenmoaning.]Toolate!
NED.[Surprised.]Toolate?
LORETTA.[Stillmoaning.]Oh,whydidI?[NEDsomewhatstiffens.]Iwassoyoung.Ididnotknowtheworldthen.
NED.Whatisitallaboutanyway?
LORETTA.Oh,I...he...Billy...Iamawickedwoman,Ned.Iknowyouwillneverspeaktomeagain.
NED.This...er...thisBilly--whathashebeendoing?
LORETTA.I...he...Ididn'tknow.Iwassoyoung.Icouldnothelpit.Oh,Ishallgomad,Ishallgomad!
[NED'sencirclingarmgoeslimp.Hegentlydisengagesheranddepositsherinbigchair.]
[LORETTAburiesherfaceandsobsafresh.]
NED.[Twistingmoustachefiercely,regardingherdubiously,hesitatingamoment,thendrawingupchairandsittingdown.]I...Idonotunderstand.
LORETTA.[Wailing.]Iamsounhappy!
NED.[Inquisitorially.]Whyunhappy?
LORETTA.Because...he...hewantstomarryme.
NED.[Hisfacebrighteninginstantly,leaningforwardandlayingahandsoothinglyonhers.]Thatshouldnotmakeanygirlunhappy.Becauseyoudon'tlovehimisnoreason--[Abruptlybreakingoff.]Ofcourseyoudon'tlovehim?[LORETTAshakesherheadandshouldersvigorously.]What?
LORETTA.[Explosively.]No,Idon'tloveBilly!Idon'twantto
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 52/67
loveBilly!
NED.[Withconfidence.]Becauseyoudon'tlovehimisnoreasonthatyoushouldbeunhappyjustbecausehehasproposedtoyou.
LORETTA.[Sobbing.]That'sthetrouble.IwishIdidlovehim.Oh,IwishIweredead.
NED.[Growingcomplacent.]Nowmydearchild,youareworryingyourselfovertrifles.[Hissecondhandjoinsthefirstinholdingherhands.]Womendoiteveryday.Becauseyouhavechangedyourmind,ordidnotknowyoumind,becauseyouhave--touseanunnecessarilyharshword--jiltedaman-
LORETTA.[Interrupting,raisingherheadandlookingathim.]Jilted?OhNed,ifthatwereaall!
NED.[Hollowvoice.]All!
[NED'shandsslowlyretreatfromhers.Heopenshismouthasthoughtospeakfurther,thenchangeshismindandremainssilent.]
LORETTA.[Protestingly.]ButIdon'twanttomarryhim!
NED.ThenIshouldn't.
LORETTA.ButIoughttomarryhim.
NED.OUGHTtomarryhim?[LORETTAnods.]Thatisastrongword.
LORETTA.[Nodding.]Iknowitis.[Herlipsaretrembling,butshestrivesforcontrolandmanagestospeakmorecalmly.]Iamawickedwoman.Aterriblewickedwoman.NooneknowshowwickedIam...exceptBilly.
NED.[Starting,lookingatherqueerly.]He...Billyknows?
[LORETTAnods.Hedebateswithhimselfamoment.]Tellmeaboutit.Youmusttellmeallofit.
LORETTA.[Faintly,asthoughabouttoweepagain.]Allofit?
NED.[Firmly.]Yes,allofit.
LORETTA.[Haltingly.]And...will...you...ever...forgive...me?
NED.[Drawingalong,breath,desperately.]Yes,I'llforgiveyou.Goahead.
LORETTA.Therewasnoonetotellme.Wewerewitheachothersomuch.Ididnotknowanythingoftheworld...then.[Pauses.]
NED.[Impatiently.]Goon.
LORETTA.IfIhadonlyknown.[Pauses.]
NED.[Bitinghislipandclenchinghishands.]Yes,yes.Goon.
LORETTA.Weweretogetheralmosteveryevening.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 53/67
NED.[Savagely.]Billy?
LORETTA.Yes,ofcourse,Billy.Wewerewitheachothersomuch...IfIhadonlyknown...Therewasnoonetotellme...Iwassoyoung...[Breaksdowncrying.]
NED.[Leapingtohisfeet,explosively.]Thescoundrel!
LORETTA.[Liftingherhead.]Billyisnotascoundrel...He...he...isagoodman.
NED.[Sarcastically.]Isupposeyou'llbetellingmenextthatitwasallyourfault.[LORETTAnods.]What!
LORETTA.[Steadily.]Itwasallmyfault.Ishouldneverhavelethim.Iwastoblame.
NED.[Pacesupanddownforaminute,stopsinfrontofher,andspeakswithresignation.]Allright.Idon'tblameyouintheleast,Loretta.Andyouhavebeenveryhonest.Itis...er...commendable.ButBillyisright,andyouarewrong.Youmustgetmarried.
LORETTA.[Indim,far-awayvoice.]ToBilly?
NED.Yes,toBilly.I'llseetoit.Wheredoeshelive?I'llmakehim.Ifhewon'tI'll...I'llshoothim!
LORETTA.[Cryingoutwithalarm.]Oh,Ned,youwon'tdothat?
NED.[Sternly.]Ishall.
LORETTA.ButIdon'twanttomarryBilly.
NED.[Sternly.]Youmust.AndBillymust.Doyouunderstand?Itistheonlything.
LORETTA.That'swhatBillysaid.
NED.[Triumphantly.]Yousee,Iamright.
LORETTA.Andif...ifIdon'tmarryhim...therewillbe...scandal?
NED.[Calmly.]Yes,therewillbescandal.
LORETTA.That'swhatBillysaid.Oh,Iamsounhappy!
[LORETTAbreaksdownintoviolentweeping.]
[NEDpacesgrimlyupanddown,nowandagainfiercelytwistinghismoustache.]
LORETTA.[Faceburied,sobbingandcryingallthetime.]
Idon'twanttoleaveDaisy!Idon'twanttoleaveDaisy!WhatshallIdo?WhatshallIdo?HowwasItoknow?Hedidn'ttellme.Nobodyelseeverkissedme.[NEDstopscuriouslytolisten.Ashelistenshisfacebrightens.]Ineverdreamedakisscould
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 54/67
besoterrible...until...untilhetoldme.Heonlytoldmethismorning.
NED.[Abruptly.]Isthatwhatyouarecryingabout?
LORETTA.[Reluctantly.]N-no.
NED.[Inhopelessvoice,thebrightnessgoneoutofhisface,abouttobeginpacingagain.]Thenwhatareyoucryingabout?
LORETTA.BecauseyousaidIhadtomarryBilly.Idon'twanttomarryBilly.Idon'twanttoleaveDaisy.Idon'tknowwhatIwant.IwishIweredead.
NED.[Nervinghimselfforanothereffort.]Nowlookhere,Loretta,besensible.Whatisthisaboutkisses?Youhaven'ttoldmeeverythingafterall.
LORETTA.I...Idon'twanttotellyoueverything.
NED.[Imperatively.]Youmust.
LORETTA.[Surrendering.]Well,then...mustI?
NED.Youmust.
LORETTA.[Floundering.]He...I...we...Ilethim,andhekissedme.
NED.[Desperately,controllinghimself.]Goon.
LORETTA.Hesayseight,butIcan'tthinkofmorethanfivetimes.
NED.Yes,goon.
LORETTA.That'sall.
NED.[Withvastincredulity.]All?
LORETTA.[Puzzled.]All?
NED.[Awkwardly.]Imean...er...nothingworse?
LORETTA.[Puzzled.]Worse?Asthoughtherecouldbe.Billysaid-
NED.[Interrupting.]When?
LORETTA.Thisafternoon.Justnow.Billysaidthatmy...our
...our...ourkisseswereterribleifwedidn'tgetmarried.
NED.Whatelsedidhesay?
LORETTA.Hesaidthatwhenawomanpermittedamantokisshershealwaysmarriedhim.Thatitwasawfulifshedidn't.Itwasthecustom,hesaid;andIsayitisabad,wickedcustom,andithasbrokenmyheart.Ishallneverbehappyagain.IknowIamterrible,butIcan'thelpit.Imusthavebeenbornwicked.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 55/67
NED.[Absent-mindedlybringingoutacigaretteandstrikingamatch.]DoyoumindifIsmoke?[Comingtohimselfagain,andflingingawaymatchandcigarette.]Ibegyourpardon.Idon'twanttosmoke.Ididn'tmeanthatatall.WhatImeanis...[HebendsoverLORETTA,catchesherhandsinhis,thensitsonarmofchair,softlyputsonearmaroundher,andisabouttokissher.]
LORETTA.[Withhorror,repulsinghim.]No!No!
NED.[Surprised.]What'sthematter?
LORETTA.[Agitatedly.]WouldyoumakemeawickederwomanthanIam?
NED.Akiss?
LORETTA.Therewillbeanotherscandal.Thatwouldmaketwoscandals.
NED.TokissthewomanIlove...ascandal?
LORETTA.Billylovesme,andhesaidso.
NED.Billyisajoker...orelseheisasinnocentasyou.
LORETTA.Butyousaidsoyourself.
NED.[Takenaback.]I?
LORETTA.Yes,yousaidityourself,withyourownlips,nottenminutesago.Ishallneverbelieveyouagain.
NED.[Masterfullyputtingarmaroundheranddrawinghertowardhim.]AndIamajoker,too,andaverywickedman.Nevertheless,youmusttrustme.Therewillbenothingwrong.
LORETTA.[Preparingtoyield.]Andno...scandal?
NED.Scandalfiddlesticks.Loretta,Iwantyoutobemywife.[Hewaitsanxiously.]
[JACKHEMINGWAY,infishingcostume,appearsindoorwaytorightandlookson.]
NED.Youmightsaysomething.
LORETTA.Iwill...if...
[ALICEHEMINGWAYappearsindoorwaytoleftandlookson.]
NED.[Insuspense.]Yes,goon.
LORETTA.IfIdon'thavetomarryBilly.
NED.[Almostshouting.]Youcan'tmarrybothofus!
LORETTA.[Sadly,repulsinghimwithherhands.]Then,Ned,Icannotmarryyou.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 56/67
NED.[Dumbfounded.]W-what?
LORETTA.[Sadly.]BecauseIcan'tmarrybothofyou.
NED.Boshandnonsense!
LORETTA.I'dliketomarryyou,but...
NED.Thereisnothingtopreventyou.
LORETTA.[Withsadconviction.]Oh,yes,thereis.YousaidyourselfthatIhadtomarryBilly.Yousaidyouwoulds-s-shoothimifhedidn't.
NED.[Drawinghertowardhim.]Nevertheless...
LORETTA.[Slightlyholdinghimoff.]Anditisn'tthecustom...what...Billysaid?
NED.No,itisn'tthecustom.Now,Loretta,willyoumarryme?
LORETTA.[Poutingdemurely.]Don'tbeangrywithme,Ned.[Hegathersherintohisarmsandkissesher.Shepartiallyfreesherself,gasping.]Iwishitwerethecustom,becausenowI'd
havetomarryyou,Ned,wouldn'tI?
[NEDandLORETTAkissasecondtimeandprofoundly.]
[JACKHEMINGWAYchuckles.]
[NEDandLORETTA,startled,butstillineachother'sarms,lookaround.NEDlookssillilyatALICEHEMINGWAY.LORETTAlooksatJACKHEMINGWAY.]
LORETTA.Idon'tcare.
CURTAIN
THEBIRTHMARKSKETCHBYJACKLONDONwrittenforRobertandJuliaFitzsimmons
SCENE--OneoftheclubroomsoftheWestBayAthleticClub.Nearcentrefrontisalargetablecoveredwithnewspapersandmagazines.Atleftapunching-bagapparatus.Atright,againstwall,adesk,onwhichrestsadesk-telephone.Dooratreartowardleft.Onwallsareframedpicturesofpugilists,
conspicuousamongwhichisoneofRobertFitzsimmons.Appropriatefurnishings,etc.,suchasfoils,clubs,dumb-bellsandtrophies.
[EnterMAUDSYLVESTER.]
[Sheisdressedasaman,ineveningclothes,preferablyaTuxedo.Inherhandisacard,andunderherarmapaper-wrappedparcel.Shepeepsaboutcuriouslyandadvancestotable.Sheistimorousandexcited,elatedandatthesametimefrightened.Hereyesaredancingwithexcitement.]
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 57/67
MAUD.[Pausingbytable.]Notasoulsawme.Iwonderwhereeverybodyis.AndthatbigbrotherofminesaidIcouldnotgetin.[Shereadsbackofcard.]"Hereismycard,Maudie.Ifyoucanuseit,goahead.Butyouwillnevergetinsidethedoor.Iconsidermybetasgoodaswon."[Lookingup,triumphantly.]Youdo,doyou?Oh,ifyoucouldseeyourlittlesisternow.Heresheis,inside.[Pauses,andlooksabout.]SothisistheWestBayAthleticClub.Nowomenallowed.Well,hereIam,ifIdon'tlooklikeone.[Stretchesoutonelegandthentheother,andlooksatthem.Leavingcardandparcelontable,shestrutsaroundlikeaman,looksatpicturesofpugilistsonwalls,readingaloudtheirnamesandmakingappropriateremarks.ButshestopsbeforetheportraitofFitzsimmonsandreadsaloud.]"RobertFitzsimmons,thegreatestwarriorofthemall."[Claspshands,andlookingupatportraitmurmurs.]Oh,youdear!
[Continuesstruttingaround,imitatingwhatsheconsidersareaman'sstrideandswagger,returnstotableandproceedstounwrapparcel.]Well,I'llgooutlikeagirl,ifIdidcomeinlikeaman.[Dropswrappingpaperontableandholdsupawoman'slongautomobilecloakandamotorbonnet.Issuddenlystartledbysoundofapproachingfootstepsandglancesinafrightenedwaytowarddoor.]Mercy!Herecomessomebodynow![Glancesabout
herinalarm,dropscloakandbonnetonfloorclosetotable,seizesahandfulofnewspapers,andrunstolargeleatherchairtorightoftable,wheresheseatsherselfhurriedly.Onepapersheholdsupbeforeher,hidingherfaceasshepretendstoread.Unfortunatelythepaperisupsidedown.Theotherpaperslieonherlap.]
[EnterROBERTFITZSIMMONS.]
[Helooksabout,advancestotable,takesoutcigarettecaseandisabouttoselectone,whenhenoticesmotorcloakandbonnetonfloor.Helayscigarettecaseontableandpicksthemup.Theystrikehimasprofoundlycuriousthingstobeinaclubroom.He
looksatMAUD,thenseescardontable.Hepicksitupandreachittohimself,thenlooksatherwithcomprehension.Hiddenbyhernewspaper,sheseesnothing.Helooksatcardagainandreadsandspeaksinanaside.]
FITZSIMMONS."Maudie.JohnH.Sylvester."ThatmustbeJackSylvester'ssisterMaud.[FITZSIMMONSshowsbyhisexpressionthatheisgoingtoplayajoke.Tossingcloakandbonnetunderthetableheplacescardinhisvestpocket,selectsachair,sitsdown,andlooksatMAUD.Henotespaperisupsidedown,ishugelytickled,andlaughssilently.]Hello![Newspaperisagitatedbyslighttremor.Hespeaksmoreloudly.]Hello![Newspapershakesbadly.Hespeaksveryloudly.]Hello!
MAUD.[Peepingathimovertopofpaperandspeakinghesitatingly.]H-h-hello!
FITZSIMMONS.[Gruffly.]Youareaqueerone,readingapaperupsidedown.
MAUD.[Loweringnewspaperandtryingtoappearatease.]It'squiteatrick,isn'tit?Ioftenpractiseit.I'mrealcleveratit,youknow.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 58/67
FITZSIMMONS.[Grunts,thenadds.]SeemstomeIhaveseenyoubefore.
MAUD.[Glancingquicklyfromhisfacetoportraitandbackagain.]Yes,andIknowyou--YouareRobertFitzsimmons.
FITZSIMMONS.IthoughtIknewyou.
MAUD.Yes,itwasoutinSanFrancisco.Mypeoplestilllivethere.I'mjust--ahem--doingNewYork.
FITZSIMMONS.ButIdon'tquiterememberthename.
MAUD.Jones--HarryJones.
FITZSIMMONS.[Hugelydelighted,leapingfromchairandstridingovertoher.]Sure.[Slapsherresoundinglyonshoulder.]
[Sheisnearlycrushedbytheweightoftheblow,andatthesametimeshocked.Shescramblestoherfeet.]
FITZSIMMONS.Gladtoseeyou,Harry.[Hewringsherhand,sothatithurts.]Gladtoseeyouagain,Harry.[Hecontinues
wringingherhandandpumpingherarm.]
MAUD.[Strugglingtowithdrawherhandandfinallysucceeding.Hervoiceisratherfaint.]Ye-es,er...Bob...er...gladtoseeyouagain.[Shelooksruefullyatherbruisedfingersandsinksintochair.Then,recollectingherpart,shecrossesherlegsinamannishway.]
FITZSIMMONS.[Crossingtodeskatright,againstwhichheleans,facingher.]YouwereawildyoungrascalinthoseSanFranciscodays.[Chuckling.]Lord,Lord,howitallcomesbacktome.
MAUD.[Boastfully.]Iwaswild--some.
FITZSIMMONS.[Grinning.]Ishouldsay!RememberthatnightIputyoutobed?
MAUD.[Forgettingherself,indignantly.]Sir!
FITZSIMMONS.Youwere...er...drunk.
MAUD.Ineverwas!
FITZSIMMONS.Surelyyouhaven'tforgottenthatnight!Youbeganwithdroppingchampagnebottlesoutoftheclubwindowsontheheadsofthepeopleonthesidewalk,andyouwoundupby
assaultingacabman.AndletmetellyouIsavedyoufromagoodlickingrightthere,andsquareditwiththepolice.Don'tyouremember?
MAUD.[Noddinghesitatingly.]Yes,itisbeginningtocomebacktome.Iwasabittightthatnight.
FITZSIMMONS.[Exultantly.]Abittight!Why,beforeIcouldgetyoutobedyouinsistedontellingmethestoryofyourlife.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 59/67
MAUD.DidI?Idon'trememberthat.
FITZSIMMONS.Ishouldsaynot.Youwerepastrememberinganythingbythattime.Youhadyourarmsaroundmyneck-
MAUD.[Interrupting.]Oh!
FITZSIMMONS.Andyoukeptrepeatingoverandover,"Bob,dearBob."
MAUD.[Springingtoherfeet.]Oh!Ineverdid![Recollectingherself.]PerhapsImusthave.Iwasatriflewildinthosedays,Iadmit.ButI'mwisenow.I'vesowedmywildoatsandsteadieddown.
FITZSIMMONS.I'mgladtohearthat,Harry.Youweretearingoffaprettyfastpaceinthosedays.[Pause,inwhichMAUDnods.]Stillpunchthebag?
MAUD.[Inquickalarm,glancingatpunchingbag.]No,I'vegotoutofthehangofit.
FITZSIMMONS.[Reproachfully.]Youhaven'tforgottenthatright-and-left,arm,elbowandshouldermovementItaughtyou?
MAUD.[Withhesitation.]N-o-o.
FITZSIMMONS.[Movingtowardbagtoleft.]Then,comeon.
MAUD.[Risingreluctantlyandfollowing.]I'dratherseeyoupunchthebag.I'djustloveto.
FITZSIMMONS.Iwill,afterward.Yougotoitfirst.
MAUD.[Eyeingthebaginalarm.]No;you.I'moutofpractice.
FITZSIMMONS.[Lookingathersharply.]Howmanydrinkshaveyou
hadto-night?
MAUD.Notaone.Idon'tdrink--thatis--er--onlyoccasionally.
FITZSIMMONS.[Indicatingbag.]Thengotoit.
MAUD.No;ItellyouIamoutofpractice.I'veforgottenitall.Yousee,Imadeadiscovery.
[Pauses.]
FITZSIMMONS.Yes?
MAUD.I--I--yourememberwhatalightvoiceIalwayshad--almostsoprano?
[FITZSIMMONSnods.]
MAUD.Well,Idiscovereditwasaperfectfalsetto.
[FITZSIMMONSnods.]
MAUD.I'vebeenpractisingiteversince.Experts,inanother
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 60/67
room,wouldswearitwasawoman'svoice.Sowouldyou,ifyouturnedyourbackandIsang.
FITZSIMMONS.[Whohasbeenlaughingincredulously,nowbecomessuspicious.]Lookhere,kid,Ithinkyouareanimpostor.YouarenotHarryJonesatall.
MAUD.Iam,too.
FITZSIMMONS.Idon'tbelieveit.Hewasheavierthanyou.
MAUD.Ihadthefeverlastsummerandlostalotofweight.
FITZSIMMONS.YouaretheHarryJonesthatgotsousesdandhadtobeputtobed?
MAUD.Y-e-s.
FITZSIMMONS.ThereisonethingIrememberverydistinctly.HarryJoneshadabirthmarkonhisknee.[Helooksatherlegssearchingly.]
MAUD.[Embarrassed,thenresolvingtocarryitout.]Yes,righthere.[Sheadvancesrightlegandtouchesit.]
FITZSIMMONS.[Triumphantly.]Wrong.Itwastheotherknee.
MAUD.Ioughttoknow.
FITZSIMMONS.Youhaven'tanybirthmarkatall.
MAUD.Ihave,too.
FITZSIMMONS.[Suddenlyspringingtoherandattemptingtoseizeherleg.]Thenwe'llproveit.Letmesee.
MAUD.[Inapanicbacksawayfromhimandresistshisattempts,
untilgrinninginanasidetotheaudience,hegivesover.She,inanasidetoaudience.]Fancyhiswantingtoseemybirthmark.
FITZSIMMONS.[Bullying.]Thentakeagoatthebag.[Sheshakesherhead.]You'renotHarryJones.
MAUD.[Approachingpunchingbag.]Iam,too.
FITZSIMMONS.Thenhitit.
MAUD.[Resolvingtoattemptit,hitsbagseveralniceblows,andthenisstruckonthenosebyit.]Oh!
[Recoveringherselfandrubbinghernose.]ItoldyouIwasoutofpractice.Youpunchthebag,Bob.
FITZSIMMONS.Iwill,ifyouwillshowmewhatyoucandowiththatwonderfulsopranovoiceofyours.
MAUD.Idon'tdare.Everybodywouldthinktherewasawomanintheclub.
FITZSIMMONS.[Shakinghishead.]No,theywon't.They'veall
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 61/67
gonetothefight.There'snotasoulinthebuilding.
MAUD.[Alarmed,inaweakvoice.]Not--a--soul--in--thebuilding?
FITZSIMMONS.Notasoul.OnlyyouandI.
MAUD.[Startinghurriedlytowarddoor.]ThenImustgo.
FITZSIMMONS.What'syourhurry?Sing.
MAUD.[Turningbackwithnewresolve.]Letmeseeyoupunchthebag,--er--Bob.
FITZSIMMONS.Yousingfirst.
MAUD.No;youpunchfirst.
FITZSIMMONS.Idon'tbelieveyouareHarry-
MAUD.[Hastily.]Allright,I'llsing.Yousitdownoverthereandturnyourback.
[FITZSIMMONSobeys.]
[MAUDwalksovertothetabletowardright.Sheisabouttosing,whenshenoticesFITZSIMMONS'cigarettecase,picksitup,andinanasidereadshisnameonitandspeaks.]
MAUD."RobertFitzsimmons."ThatwillprovetomybrotherthatIhavebeenhere.
FITZSIMMONS.Hurryup.
[MAUDhastilyputscigarettecaseinherpocketandbeginstosing.]
SONG
[DuringthesongFITZSIMMONSturnshisheadslowlyandlooksatherwithgrowingadmiration.]
MAUD.Howdidyoulikeit?
FITZSIMMONS.[Gruffly.]Rotten.Anybodycouldtellitwasaboy'svoice-
MAUD.Oh!
FITZSIMMONS.Itisroughandcoarseanditcrackedoneveryhigh
note.
MAUD.Oh!Oh!
[Recollectingherselfandshrugginghershoulders.]Oh,verywell.Nowlet'sseeifyoucandoanybetterwiththebag.
[FITZSIMMONStakesoffcoatandgivesexhibition.]
[MAUDlooksoninanecstasyofadmiration.]
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 62/67
MAUD.[Ashefinishes.]Beautiful!Beautiful!
[FITZSIMMONSputsoncoatandgoesoverandsitsdownneartable.]Nothinglikethebagtolimberoneup.Ifeellikeafightingcock.Harry,let'sgooutonatoot,youandI.
MAUD.Wh-a-a-t?
FITZSIMMONS.Atoot.Youknow--oneofthoserip-snortingnightsyouusedtomake.
MAUD.[Emphatically,asshepicksupnewspapersfromleatherchair,sitsdown,andplacesthemonherlap.]I'lldonothingofthesort.I've--I'vereformed.
FITZSIMMONS.Youusedtojoy-rideliketheverydevil.
MAUD.Iknowit.
FITZSIMMONS.Andyoualwayshadaprettygirlortwoalong.
MAUD.[Boastfully,inmannish,fashion.]Oh,Istillhavemyfling.Doyouknowany--well,--er,--nicegirls?
FITZSIMMONS.Sure.
MAUD.Putmewise.
FITZSIMMONS.Sure.YouknowJackSylvester?
MAUD.[Forgettingherself.]He'smybrother-
FITZSIMMONS.[Exploding.]What!
MAUD.--In-law'sfirstcousin.
FITZSIMMONS.Oh!
MAUD.SoyouseeIdon'tknowhimverywell.Ionlymethimonce--attheclub.Wehadadrinktogether.
FITZSIMMONS.Thenyoudon'tknowhissister?
MAUD.[Starting.]Hissister?I--Ididn'tknowhehadasister.
FITZSIMMONS.[Enthusiastically.]She'sapeach.Aqueen.Alittlebitofallright.A--aloo-loo.
MAUD.[Flattered.]Sheis,isshe?
FITZSIMMONS.She'sascream.Yououghttogetacquaintedwithher.
MAUD.[Slyly.]Youknowher,then?
FITZSIMMONS.Youbet.
MAUD.[Aside.]Oh,ho![ToFITZSIMMONS.]Knowherverywell?
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 63/67
FITZSIMMONS.I'vetakenheroutmoretimesthanIcanremember.You'lllikeher,I'msure.
MAUD.Thanks.Tellmesomemoreabouther.
FITZSIMMONS.Shedressesabitloud.Butyouwon'tmindthat.Andwhateveryoudo,don'ttakehertoeat.
MAUD.[Hidingherchagrin.]Whynot?
FITZSIMMONS.Ineversawsuchanappetite-
MAUD.Oh!
FITZSIMMONS.It'sfairsickening.Shemusthaveatape-worm.Andshethinksshecansing.
MAUD.Yes?
FITZSIMMONS.Rotten.Youcandobetteryourself,andthat'snotsayingmuch.She'sanicegirl,reallysheis,butsheistheblacksheepofthefamily.Funny,isn'tit?
MAUD.[Weakvoice.]Yes,funny.
FITZSIMMONS.HerbrotherJackisallright.Buthecan'tdoanythingwithher.She'sa--a-
MAUD.[Grimly.]Yes.Goon.
FITZSIMMONS.Aholyterror.Sheoughttobeinareformschool.
MAUD.[Springingtoherfeetandslammingnewspapersinhisface.]Oh!Oh!Oh!Youliar!Sheisn'tanythingofthesort!
FITZSIMMONS.[Recoveringfromtheonslaughtandmakingbelieveheisangry,advancingthreateninglyonher.]NowI'mgoingtoputa
headonyou.Youyounghoodlum.
MAUD.[Allalarmandcontrition,backingawayfromhim.]Don't!Pleasedon't!I'msorry!Iapologise.I--Ibegyourpardon,Bob.OnlyIdon'tliketoheargirlstalkedaboutthatway,even--evenifitistrue.Andyououghttoknow.
FITZSIMMONS.[Subsidingandresumingseat.]You'vechangedalot,Imustsay.
MAUD.[Sittingdowninleatherchair.]ItoldyouI'dreformed.Letustalkaboutsomethingelse.Whyisitgirlslikeprize-fighters?Ishouldthink--ahem--Imeanitseemstomethatgirls
wouldthinkprize-fightershorrid.
FITZSIMMONS.Theyaremen.
MAUD.Butthereissomuchcrookednessinthegame.Onehearsaboutitallthetime.
FITZSIMMONS.Therearecrookedmenineverybusinessandprofession.Thebestfightersarenotcrooked.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 64/67
MAUD.I--er--Ithoughttheyallfakedfightswhentherewasenoughinit.
FITZSIMMONS.Notthebestones.
MAUD.Didyou--er--everfakeafight?
FITZSIMMONS.[Lookingathersharply,thenspeakingsolemnly.]Yes.Once.
MAUD.[Shocked,speakingsadly.]AndIalwaysheardofyouandthoughtofyouastheonecleanchampionwhoneverfaked.
FITZSIMMONS.[Gentlyandseriously.]Letmetellyouaboutit.ItwasdowninAustralia.Ihadjustbeguntofightmywayup.ItwaswitholdBillHobartoutatRushcuttersBay.Ithrewthefighttohim.
MAUD.[Repelled,disgusted.]Oh!Icouldnothavebelieveditofyou.
FITZSIMMONS.Letmetellyouaboutit.Billwasanoldfighter.Notanoldman,youknow,buthe'dbeeninthefightinggamealongtime.Hewasaboutthirty-eightandagamermannever
enteredthering.Buthewasinhardluck.Youngerfighterswerecomingup,andhewasbeingcrowdedout.Atthattimeitwasn'toftenhegotafightandthepursesweresmall.BesidesitwasadroughtyearinAustralia.Youdon'tknowwhatthatmeans.Itmeansthattherangersarestarved.Itmeansthatthesheeparestarvedanddiebythemillions.Itmeansthatthereisnomoneyandnowork,andthatthemenandwomenandkiddiesstarve.
BillHobarthadamissusandthreekidsandatthetimeofhisfightwithmetheywereallstarving.Theydidnothaveenoughtoeat.Doyouunderstand?Theydidnothaveenoughtoeat.AndBilldidnothaveenoughtoeat.Hetrainedonanemptystomach,whichisnowaytotrainyou'lladmit.Duringthatdroughtyear
therewaslittleenoughmoneyinthering,buthehadfailedtogetanyfights.Hehadworkedatlong-shoring,ditch-digging,coal-shovelling--anything,tokeepthelifeinthemissusandthekiddies.Thetroublewasthejobsdidn'tholdout.Andtherehewas,matchedtofightwithme,behindinhisrent,atougholdchopping-block,butweakfromlackoffood.Ifhedidnotwinthefight,thelandlordwasgoingtoputthemintothestreet.
MAUD.Butwhywouldyouwanttofightwithhiminsuchweakcondition?
FITZSIMMONS.Ididnotknow.Ididnotlearntillattheringsidejustbeforethefight.Itwasinthedressingrooms,
waitingourturntogoon.Billcameoutofhisroom,readyforthering."Bill,"Isaid--infun,youknow."Bill,I'vegottodoyouto-night."Hesaidnothing,buthelookedatmewiththesaddestandmostpitifulfaceIhaveeverseen.Hewentbackintohisdressingroomandsatdown.
"PoorBill!"oneofmysecondssaid."He'sbeenfairstarvingtheselastweeks.AndI'vegotitstraight,thelandlordchuckshimoutifhelosesto-night."
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 65/67
Thenthecallcameandwewentintothering.Billwasdesperate.Hefoughtlikeatiger,amadman.Hewasfaircrazy.HewasfightingformorethanIwasfightingfor.Iwasarisingfighter,andIwasfightingforthemoneyandtherecognition.ButBillwasfightingforlife--forthelifeofhislovedones.
Well,conditiontold.Thestrengthwentoutofhim,andIwasfreshasadaisy."What'sthematter,Bill?"Isaidtohiminaclinch."You'reweak.""Iain'thadabittoeatthisday,"heanswered.Thatwasall.
Bytheseventhroundhewasaboutallin,hangingonandpantingandsobbingforbreathintheclinches,andIknewIcouldputhimoutanytime.Idrewbackmyrightfortheshort-armjabthatwoulddothebusiness.Heknewitwascoming,andhewaspowerlesstopreventit.
"FortheloveofGod,Bob,"hesaid;and--[Pause.]
MAUD.Yes?Yes?
FITZSIMMONS.Iheldbacktheblow.Wewereinaclinch.
"FortheloveofGod,Bob,"hesaidagain,"themissesandthe
kiddies!"
AndrightthereIsawandknewitall.Isawthehungrychildrenasleep,andthemissussittingupandwaitingforBilltocomehome,waitingtoknowwhethertheyweretohavefoodtoeatorbethrownoutinthestreet.
"Bill,"Isaid,inthenextclinch,solowonlyhecouldhear."Bill,remembertheLaBlancheswing.Giveittome,hard."
Webrokeaway,andhewastotteringandgroggy.Hestaggeredawayandstartedtowhirltheswing.Isawitcoming.ImadebelieveIdidn'tandstartedafterhiminarush.Biff!Itcaughtmeon
thejaw,andIwentdown.Iwasyoungandstrong.Icouldeatpunishment.Icouldhavegotupthefirstsecond.ButIlaythereandletthemcountmeout.AndmakingbelieveIwasstilldazed,Iletthemcarrymetomycornerandworktobringmeto.[Pause.]
Well,Ifakedthatfight.
MAUD.[Springingtohimandshakinghishand.]ThankGod!Oh!Youareaman!A--a--ahero!
FITZSIMMONS.[Dryly,feelinginhispocket.]Let'shaveasmoke.[Hefailstofindcigarettecase.]
MAUD.Ican'ttellyouhowgladIamyoutoldmethat.
FITZSIMMONS.[Gruffly.]Forgetit.[Helooksontable,andfailstofindcigarettecase.Looksathersuspiciously,thencrossestodeskatrightandreachesfortelephone.]
MAUD.[Curiously.]Whatareyougoingtodo?
FITZSIMMONS.Callthepolice.
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 66/67
MAUD.Whatfor?
FITZSIMMONS.Foryou.
MAUD.Forme?
FITZSIMMONS.YouarenotHarryJones.Andnotonlyareyouanimpostor,butyouareathief.
MAUD.[Indignantly.]Howdareyou?
FITZSIMMONS.Youhavestolenmycigarettecase.
MAUD.[Rememberingandtakenaback,pullsoutcigarettecase.]Hereitis.
FITZSIMMONS.Toolate.Itwon'tsaveyou.Thisclubmustbekeptrespectable.Thievescannotbetolerated.
MAUD.[Growingalarm.]Butyouwon'thavemearrested?
FITZSIMMONS.Icertainlywill.
MAUD.[Pleadingly.]Please!Please!
FITZSIMMONS.[Obdurately.]IseenoreasonwhyIshouldnot.
MAUD.[Hurriedly,inapanic.]I'llgiveyouareason--a--agoodone.I--I--amnotHarryJones.
FITZSIMMONS.[Grimly.]Agoodreasoninitselftocallinthepolice.
MAUD.Thatisn'tthereason.I'm--a--Oh!I'msoashamed.
FITZSIMMONS.[Sternly.]Ishouldsayyououghttobe.[Reaches
fortelephonereceiver.]
MAUD.[Inrushofdesperation.]Stop!I'ma--I'ma--agirl.There![Sinksdowninchair,buryingherfaceinherhands.]
[FITZSIMMONS,hangingupreceiver,grunts.]
[MAUDremoveshandsandlooksathimindignantly.Asshespeaksherindignationgrows.]
MAUD.IonlywantedyourcigarettecasetoprovetomybrotherthatIhadbeenhere.I--I'mMaudSylvester,andyounevertookmeoutonce.AndI'mnotablacksheep.AndIdon'tdress
loudly,andIhaven'ta--atapeworm.
FITZSIMMONS.[Grinningandpullingoutcardfromvestpocket.]IknewyouwereMissSylvesterallthetime.
MAUD.Oh!Youbrute!I'llneverspeaktoyouagain.
FITZSIMMONS.[Gently.]You'llletmeseeyousafelyoutofhere.
MAUD.[Relenting.]Ye-e-s.[Sherises,crossestotable,andis
7/31/2019 London, Jack-The Human Drift
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/london-jack-the-human-drift 67/67
abouttostoopformotorcloakandbonnet,butheforestallher,holdscloakandhelpsherintoit.]Thankyou.[Shetakesoffwig,fluffsherownhairbecomingly,andputsonbonnet,lookingeveryinchaprettyyounggirl,readyforanautomobileride.]
FITZSIMMONS.[Who,allthetime,watchinghertransformation,hasbeengrowingbashful,nowhandingherthecigarettecase.]Here'sthecigarettecase.Youmayk-k-keepit.
MAUD.[Lookingathim,hesitates,thentakesit.]Ithankyou--er--Bob.Ishalltreasureitallmylife.[Heisveryembarrassed.]Why,Idobelieveyou'rebashful.Whatisthematter?
FITZSIMMONS.[Stammering.]Why--I--you--Youareagirl--and--a--a--deucedprettyone.
MAUD.[Takinghisarm,readytostartfordoor.]Butyouknewitallalong.
FITZSIMMONS.Butit'ssomehowdifferentnowwhenyou'vegotyourgirl'sclotheson.
MAUD.Butyouweren'tabitbashful--ornice,when--you--you--
[Blurtingitout.]Weresoanxiousaboutbirthmarks.
[Theystarttomakeexit.]
CURTAIN